(Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Jeon Jae-hoon = The National Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives (Nonghyup) announced on the 12th that it has established a 'Comprehensive Nonghyup Innovation Task Force' to restore trust that has been damaged by recent incidents and accidents, and has prepared a reform plan containing three major strategies for responsible management and an incorruptible Nonghyup.
Nonghyup intends to achieve a 'trusted National Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives', 'clean and incorruptible regional agricultural cooperatives', and a 'Nonghyup loved by the people' through three major strategies: innovation of the central organization structure, zero tolerance for corruption and malpractice in regional agricultural cooperatives, and reduction of farmers' debt.
First, Nonghyup will undertake personnel renewal by replacing more than half of the representatives, executives, and executive officers to innovate the central organization structure and strengthen responsible management.
Additionally, it has decided to increase the transparency of the executive selection process and to restrict the reemployment of retirees in principle.
To prevent unfair contract controversies, it will prohibit voluntary contracts in principle.
Furthermore, to eradicate embezzlement and other corrupt incidents in regional agricultural cooperatives, it plans to completely halt support from the central organization for agricultural cooperatives where incidents have occurred, and to establish cost execution guidelines and disciplinary measures for violations.
It will also introduce an election management body and a reporting center to prevent fraudulent elections.
Nonghyup also plans to expand budget and financial support for regional agricultural cooperatives that are pursuing mergers to strengthen competitiveness.
It will also strengthen its public role to become a Nonghyup loved by the people.
Nonghyup plans to burn long-term overdue loans of farmers to help restore credit and to invest 108 trillion won over five years in 'productive and inclusive finance' for small and medium-sized businesses.
It also plans to actively carry out the 'Nongsimcheonsim Movement', investing 3.6 trillion won to prevent the disappearance of rural areas.
Nonghyup announced that it has established a comprehensive Nonghyup Task Force, chaired by a vice president and including participation from key department heads, to systematically advance these reform tasks, and that it will begin operations immediately.
Nonghyup emphasized, "This reform plan contains a firm will to break past habits and practices," and "We will leap forward as a new Nonghyup that is trusted by the people and is a source of strength for farmers by restoring the transparency and integrity of the organization."