The chairmen of agricultural cooperatives in the Chungnam and Sejong regions have called for the protection of the autonomy and independence of agricultural cooperatives in relation to the discussion on the revision of the Agricultural Cooperatives Act. 143 chairmen of agricultural cooperatives in the Chungnam and Sejong regions held a meeting of the "Chungnam-Sejong Cooperative Operation Council" on the 7th at the main hall of the Chungnam-Sejong Agricultural Cooperatives Headquarters and adopted a proposal stating, "The autonomy and independence of agricultural cooperatives must be respected and the opinions of the field must be sufficiently reflected in the legislative process of revising the Agricultural Cooperatives Act, among others." Through the proposal, they said, "The autonomy of cooperatives is a core principle guaranteed by the Constitution and the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA). We hope that this value will not be tarnished in the process of revising the Agricultural Cooperatives Act." They continued, "There is considerable concern among the chairmen on site regarding the currently discussed revision proposals, such as the direct election of the chairman of the Agricultural Cooperatives Central Association and the separation of the audit committee into a separate legal entity. While we empathize with the need for agricultural cooperatives to participate in reforms that fit the times, the essence and autonomy of cooperatives should not be damaged." The chairmen also pledged to actively participate in the reform of agricultural cooperatives and to take measures to overcome the crisis in agriculture and rural areas and to support stable management. A representative of the Chungnam-Sejong Cooperative Operation Council said, "The internal and external uncertainties in agriculture and rural areas are increasing. Based on autonomy and independence, we will devote ourselves even more to the original role of agricultural cooperatives." They added, "We will fulfill the responsibility entrusted to us for sustainable agriculture and rural areas."