Approximately 500 farmers gathered in front of the Export-Import Bank of Korea’s head office in Yeouido yesterday and asked that the government set the target price for 80 kilograms of rice at 240,000 won (US$212). (image: Yonhap)
SEOUL, Nov. 23 (Korea Bizwire) — Rice farmers held a rally in Seoul’s Yeouido financial district to call for a rise in rice prices.
Approximately 500 farmers gathered in front of the Export-Import Bank of Korea’s head office in Yeouido yesterday and asked that the government set the target price for 80 kilograms of rice at 240,000 won (US$212).
The farmers claimed that the Democratic Party of Korea had recently set the target price of rice at 196,000 won through a party consultation session.
“A bowl of rice cost 235 won when the price of an 80-kilogram sack of rice was 188,000 won,” said the farmers. With the party’s proposed increase, the price of a single rice bowl would rise just 10 won to 245 won.
Farmers argue that a 100-gram bowl of rice should cost at least 300 won considering that a lollipop costs 500 won and a pack of gum, 800 won.
“The betrayal we feel towards the Moon Jae-in administration is sky high,” said an angered farmer.
Another farmer claimed that the Democratic Party had insisted on a target price of 217,000 when fmr. President Park Geun-hye was in power and President Moon was the leader of the opposition.
H. S. Seo (hsseo@koreabizwire.com)
