Follow-up Measures for the Full Farmland Survey — Processing Deferred for Customary Violations if Entrusted to the Farmland Bank, Special Rectification Period Extended to November 15
Source material is a Korean government announcement (in Korean).
If the full farmland survey confirms fallowing or leasing violations that are not for speculative purposes, an opportunity for voluntary rectification is given, and if the land is entrusted for lease or management to the Farmland Bank, imposition of the disposal obligation is deferred (special rectification period extended to November 15).
Key facts
| Speculation / serious illegal conversion | Handled under the Farmland Act with disposal orders, etc.; illegal conversion in Agricultural Promotion Areas handled with restoration orders, etc. |
|---|---|
| Non-speculative violations | Voluntary rectification period in operation; disposal obligation deferred if entrusted for lease or management to the Farmland Bank |
| Special rectification period | Extended to November 15 |
| Farmland owned for more than 3 years | Excluded from supplementary investigation if entrusted for lease to the Farmland Bank within the survey period; will not be treated as a leasing violation |
| Legalization of illegal conversion | For non-serious cases, retroactive conversion application → imposition of farmland conservation charge followed by ratification pursued (first time in 38 years since 1988); enactment of a special measures act pursued |
| Schedule | Survey results not yet finalized — plan to classify violation types and process them by the end of 2026 |
| Inquiries | Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Farmland Division (044-201-1735) |
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The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (농림축산식품부) announced at a party-government consultative meeting on September 21, 2026 that it discussed the direction of follow-up measures for the full farmland survey. Farmland with clear speculation and illegal conversion within Agricultural Promotion Areas (농업진흥지역) will be handled under the Farmland Act (농지법) with disposal orders, restoration orders, and the like, while for fallowing or leasing violations that are not for speculative purposes, an opportunity for voluntary rectification will be given first, and if the land is entrusted for lease or management to the Farmland Bank (농지은행), imposition of the disposal obligation will be deferred. The special rectification period is extended to November 15, and farmland owned for more than 3 years will be excluded from supplementary investigation and will not be treated as a leasing violation under the Farmland Act if entrusted for lease to the Farmland Bank within the survey period. For illegal conversion that is not a serious matter such as farmland damage within Agricultural Promotion Areas, retroactive legalization will be pursued for the first time in 38 years since 1988, and enactment of a special measures act for this purpose will also be pursued. The survey results are not yet finalized, and the plan is to classify violation types based on the survey results and handle them by the end of 2026.
Summaries below are factual notes based on government announcements and primary sources — not evaluations or opinions.
FAQ
Is farmland left fallow due to old age also subject to disposal?
For violations that are not for speculative purposes, an opportunity for voluntary rectification is given first, and elderly farmers, or people who inherited land or left farming, can entrust management rights over fallow farmland to the Farmland Bank. Entrusting the land allows the imposition of the disposal obligation to be deferred.
What about farmland jointly owned by multiple people?
If the holding is not for speculative purposes, it is permitted to entrust the land for lease to the Farmland Bank with the consent of co-owners holding a majority share.