100 Won Taxis will take residents that live off the beaten path from their homes to the nearest bus stop for a price of 100 won, as the name suggests.(Image:Kobiz Media)
SEOUL, Jul. 20 (Korea Bizwire) — On July 19, President Moon Jae-in announced his administration’s new five-year plan for the country. Included in the blueprint were a host of policy modifications for rural and coastal areas.
Beginning next year, ‘100 Won Taxi’ services will be offered throughout agricultural regions nationwide. 100 Won Taxis will take residents that live off the beaten path from their homes to the nearest bus stop for a price of 100 won, as the name suggests.
Transportation will also be improved, with an express train connecting rural areas directly to Seoul planned. At a local level, authorities are considering smaller changes such as issuing new bus cards and rerouting buses to reach wider areas.
Policies in place for stabilizing the incomes of farmers will also be strengthened. In 2018 and 2019, the government plans to introduce new regulations for rice production. Under the planned regulations, rice farmers who change their growth crop will be given government subsidies to offset any losses in revenue. The government will use subsidies to better manage the fluctuating price of rice.
(Image:Jeongeup City Government)
For farmers with livestock, an insurance policy will be created that will help create a buffer against animals lost to diseases. The government also hopes to develop a vaccine for the troublesome foot-and-mouth disease that plagues domestic livestock nearly every year.
As a means of promoting greater growth in agriculture, policies aimed at supporting young farmers will be instituted next year. In addition, the government plans to smooth out the initial steps for newcomers by modifying rental housing complexes in the neighboring areas.
By the year 2022, a number of policies will be implemented regulating Korean seas. The government will aim to boost the annual fishing haul to 1.1 million tons.
Starting next year, 1 million artificially inseminated pollock eggs will be released into the sea every year. The year after, actual farming of the pollock will begin, with the hope that a sustainable pollock farming industry will be in place by 2022.
Policies protecting workers in the freight transport industry will be passed in 2021. Beginning next year, subsidies for scrapped ships will be offered, and by 2022, 100 eco-friendly hyper-efficient ships will be built for the shipping and fishing industries.
To expand and revitalize the tourism industry, both the government and private companies will pursue policies that provide paid leave for workers and will consider increasing the number of holidays.
by Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
