The Democratic Party of Korea emphasized on the 16th that it would support the government by preparing legislation to improve the distribution structure of agricultural products at the online wholesale market of agricultural and marine products.
Acting party leader Kim Byung-ki and floor leader, along with the party's price policy task force (TF), visited the comprehensive situation room at the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT) center in Seocho-gu, Seoul, and held a field meeting to discuss supply and demand management measures by item and ways to improve the production and distribution structure of agricultural and livestock products.
Kim, the floor leader, noted, "Extreme heat is causing a surge in the prices of agricultural and livestock products, making 'heat-flation' a reality," and emphasized, "Stabilizing the prices of essential goods and food is truly urgent for the recovery of the people's economy."
He added, "The online wholesale market is the key to safeguarding the prices of essentials. It is a crucial platform that realizes the reduction of distribution stages and price transparency," and mentioned the need for the enactment and revision of laws related to the revitalization of the online wholesale market.
Kim, the floor leader, mentioned, "The Democratic Party will take the lead in stabilizing prices and innovating distribution," adding, "Centered around the price policy TF, I will listen to proposals and concerns from the field and prepare effective measures. We will activate verified price stabilization measures, including improvements to the distribution structure and the expansion of online distribution."
Yu Dong-soo, a member of the Democratic Party and chairperson of the price policy TF, stated, "The instability in the supply and prices of agricultural and livestock products due to summer weather conditions is likely to worsen in the future due to the effects of abnormal weather such as heat waves," and said, "To manage the prices of agricultural and livestock products stably, both short-term supply management measures by item and long-term improvements in production and distribution structures should be pursued in parallel."
Hong Mun-pyo, president of the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT), requested the swift passage of laws such as the 'Online Wholesale Market Act (Bill on Promoting Online Transactions of Agricultural and Marine Products)' and the replenishment of personnel.
The online wholesale market bill, currently pending in the relevant parliamentary committee, aims to provide the basis for establishing an online trading hub for agricultural and marine products and to lay the institutional groundwork for revitalizing online wholesale transactions. Its purpose is to support the innovation of wholesale distribution through the digital transformation of agricultural and marine product transactions.