[AFL Column] The Year 2026 as a Pivotal Year for Agricultural Policy Transformation

The South Korean agricultural and fishing industries are entering the new year of 2026, the year of the Tiger (丙午年), with a sense of caution and hope greater than ever before. Last year, amid record-breaking heatwaves and heavy rains, as well as unstable international conditions, we painfully realized the importance of food security. Agriculture should no longer remain a primary industry that simply produces food. Although the domestic and international situations this year are still difficult to predict, analyzing the New Year's messages from the heads of agricultural-related organizations, such as the Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the Chairman of the Special Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and the Director of the Rural Development Administration, it can be seen that agriculture is being redefined as a "core strategic industry" that supports the nation's existence and as a "pivot for energy transition" in the era of climate ...