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President Lee Jae-myung speaks at a meeting of senior secretaries and aides held at Cheong Wa Dae on the 3rd. / Yonhap News

President Lee Jae-myung addressed pushback from the agriculture, livestock, and fisheries sectors regarding the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) on the 29th, stating, "It seems I will have to meet directly with the affected agriculture, livestock, and fisheries industries." The remark signals an effort to step up public consultations during the process of pursuing the CPTPP while also crafting compensation measures for farming, fishing, and livestock sectors hurt by market opening.

On his X account (formerly Twitter) this morning, President Lee posted a message titled "Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries Are Strategic Security Industries—Citizens, Please Do Not Worry," writing, "I have instructed officials to conduct a thorough opinion-gathering process on the CPTPP."

President Lee pointed out, "Because the Republic of Korea is an open trading nation reliant on commerce, FTAs are inevitable to expand export markets," while adding, "Although most sectors benefit from this, there are areas that suffer damages."

In particular, President Lee noted, "In the course of concluding free trade agreements (FTAs) thus far, exporting companies have reaped benefits while compensation for damaged sectors such as farming, fishing, and livestock was not sufficient."

President Lee said, "The fund agreed upon during past FTA negotiations was left to voluntary corporate contributions and fell far short of its initial target," adding, "To rebuild trust, our government has decided to first cover the shortfall in the unformed fund with government fiscal spending."

He also presented a way to share the gains of trade expansion with damaged industries. President Lee remarked, "This conflict can be resolved through coordination—namely, having the gaining side pool resources to support the losing side," adding, "For instance, we can levy a certain percentage fee on export growth generated by FTAs to compensate for damages."

He affirmed that protests and resistance from the agriculture, livestock, and fisheries sectors would be treated with equal weight in policymaking.

President Lee said, "There is no reason to treat statements made during large-scale rallies and protests differently from email petitions," urging workers in the sector: "Please remember that I made great efforts to improve distribution structures, protect rice prices, and even introduced a basic income for farmers and fishermen to safeguard rural communities."

He concluded, "Knowing better than anyone the importance of agriculture, fisheries, livestock, and forestry as strategic security industries, I ask you not to worry too much," adding, "I will meet with you in person soon to hear your voices fully."

                                                                                                       Park Young-hoon