ID :
25153
Fri, 10/17/2008 - 19:36
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/25153
The shortlink copeid
Farmers rally against illegal rice subsidy grab
(ATTN: RECASTS headline, UPDATES the story with protest)
By Kim Boram
SEOUL, Oct. 17 (Yonhap) -- About a dozen farmers and activists rallied in central
Seoul on Friday to protest lawmakers and government officials who allegedly
pilfered state rice farming subsidies.
The mushrooming scandal, initially sparked by a media report that the current
vice health minister had attempted to receive subsidies intended for low-income
rice farmers, has grown into an explosive corruption scandal involving thousands
of public servants and at least two ruling party lawmakers.
Holding signs that read "Punish the officials!" and "Reveal all the names!," a
group of 15 farmers and activists denounced lawmakers and government officials
who "stole our effort and sweat" in a rally in a downtown square.
"Farmers who actually live in the countryside and cultivate rice cannot get those
subsidies, as most of them have no farmland of their own," said Han Young-mi, a
female farmer from Hoengseong, Gangwon Province. "We feel victimized that
government officials have snatched money that we deserve to have."
Tensions heightened briefly when the protesters clashed with police, trying to
march toward a nearby government complex with rice sacks on their back. About 80
police officers were mobilized to block them. No injuries were reported.
Prosecutors have planned an investigation against Vice Health Minister Lee
Bong-hwa after a minor opposition party filed a complaint accusing her of fraud
and other charges related to the corruption scandal.
Former President Roh Moo-hyun established the subsidy system in 2005 to give
money to rice farmers fearful of falling profits following the opening of the
Korean rice market to cheaper imports.
At least 500 billion won (US$384 million) in government subsidies aimed at
supporting farmers is believed to have gone to tens of thousands of ineligible
recipients over the past four years, including two ruling Grand National Party
lawmakers.
"The two politicians should take legal and political responsibility, as they
apparently violated the law and caused substantial harm to farmers and Korean
taxpayers," Seoul-based civic group Jinbo Corea said in a statement. The group
submitted a complaint to prosecutors to open an investigation into the two
lawmakers.
By Kim Boram
SEOUL, Oct. 17 (Yonhap) -- About a dozen farmers and activists rallied in central
Seoul on Friday to protest lawmakers and government officials who allegedly
pilfered state rice farming subsidies.
The mushrooming scandal, initially sparked by a media report that the current
vice health minister had attempted to receive subsidies intended for low-income
rice farmers, has grown into an explosive corruption scandal involving thousands
of public servants and at least two ruling party lawmakers.
Holding signs that read "Punish the officials!" and "Reveal all the names!," a
group of 15 farmers and activists denounced lawmakers and government officials
who "stole our effort and sweat" in a rally in a downtown square.
"Farmers who actually live in the countryside and cultivate rice cannot get those
subsidies, as most of them have no farmland of their own," said Han Young-mi, a
female farmer from Hoengseong, Gangwon Province. "We feel victimized that
government officials have snatched money that we deserve to have."
Tensions heightened briefly when the protesters clashed with police, trying to
march toward a nearby government complex with rice sacks on their back. About 80
police officers were mobilized to block them. No injuries were reported.
Prosecutors have planned an investigation against Vice Health Minister Lee
Bong-hwa after a minor opposition party filed a complaint accusing her of fraud
and other charges related to the corruption scandal.
Former President Roh Moo-hyun established the subsidy system in 2005 to give
money to rice farmers fearful of falling profits following the opening of the
Korean rice market to cheaper imports.
At least 500 billion won (US$384 million) in government subsidies aimed at
supporting farmers is believed to have gone to tens of thousands of ineligible
recipients over the past four years, including two ruling Grand National Party
lawmakers.
"The two politicians should take legal and political responsibility, as they
apparently violated the law and caused substantial harm to farmers and Korean
taxpayers," Seoul-based civic group Jinbo Corea said in a statement. The group
submitted a complaint to prosecutors to open an investigation into the two
lawmakers.
