Six bills related to Jeonbuk Province and the agriculture and fisheries sector, introduced by Rep. Yun Jun-byeong of the Democratic Party of Korea, passed the National Assembly plenary session on Thursday.
The package includes three amendments to the Jeonbuk Special Act expanding special provisions for Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province, along with amendments to the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Agriculture and Fisheries Support Act, the Agricultural and Marine Products Origin Labeling Act, and the Timber Utilization Act.
The amended Origin Labeling Act imposes an obligation on food delivery application operators to notify their listed businesses of origin labeling regulations to prevent false or misleading origin markings. The amendment aims to close regulatory blind spots in origin labeling as ordering food through delivery apps has become a routine part of consumer life.
Three amendments to the Special Act on the Establishment of Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province and the Creation of a Global Bio-Economy City strengthen the functions of the Jeonbuk support committee and expand the transfer of authority and special provisions in areas including agricultural biotechnology, industrial transition, research and development, and healthcare. The measures are designed to establish an independent development foundation for Jeonbuk and revitalize the regional economy.
The amended Special Act on Support for Agriculture and Fisheries Workers Affected by FTA Implementation extends the direct payment program for damage compensation by five years. The extension aims to support farming and fishing households affected by trade agreement implementation and stabilize their business operations.
The amendment to the Act on Sustainable Use of Timber designates "Timber Day" as an official commemorative day and renames the Timber Culture Promotion Association as the Timber Culture and Industry Promotion Association. It also adds timber industry promotion projects to the association's mandate, laying an institutional foundation to align with the carbon neutrality drive.
"The passage of these bills is not the end but a new beginning," Yun said. "I will meticulously ensure that the enacted legislation translates into tangible benefits on the ground, and do my utmost so that the Lee Jae-myung government's livelihood-centered policies reach every corner of rural and fishing communities."