hankyoreh

Oct. 26.

It was confirmed on Tuesday that the Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MFAFF) has put together a plan to take countermeasure against farmers who have taken part in demonstrations to address the plummeting price of rice. These countermeasures include a request to National Intelligence Service (NIS) and police officers to use harsh treatment against farmers who participate in demonstrations.

According a document entitled “Countermeasures for the Current Situation with Farmers Associations Regarding Rice Prices,” MFAFF plans to divide a progressive and moderate farming associations, and plans to isolate progressive one with the help of the NIS and police officers. The MFAFF designated Korean Peasant League (KPL) as a progressive farming association. MFAFF plans to ask Nonghyup, the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation, to cut off funding for KPL. The writing on the document also indicated that the document’s contents had already been reported to the Cheong Wa Dae (presidential office in South Korea or Blue House).

If the contents of the document prove to be true, the Lee administration will face criticism in the future for using suppression similar to crackdowns during South Korea’s authoritarian period.

An MFAFF official addressed KPL demonstrations in saying, “The demonstration led by KPL had little to do with the price of rice.” The official added, “KPL’s aim was to make humanitarian aid to North Korea an issue and to secure funding for an anti-government struggle.” Regarding the special request made to the police, another official said, “We will treat the participants in violent demonstrations without mercy with the help of the police.”

In response, a senior member of KPL said, “This is first time the government has requested NIS assistance regarding farmers’ demonstrations.” The KPL member continued, “We think that the government is trying to suppress our preparation for the national farmer demonstration planned to be held on Nov. 17.” The KLP member added, “We should be prepared for a huge amount of suppression from the government.”

Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr]