More than nine in 10 cooperative members (94.5%) and the general public (95.1%) agree reform is necessary
Strong majority also favors strengthening ministry oversight and expanding information disclosure
A recent survey found that more than nine out of 10 Nonghyup cooperative members and members of the public support reforms to Nonghyup, the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation.
On April 27, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said that in a \"Members and General Public Perception Survey\" on the reform measures announced during party-government consultations on March 11 and April 1, 94.5% of cooperative members and 95.1% of the general public said reform was necessary.
The Korea Rural Economic Institute commissioned the study, and Gallup Korea carried out the survey. From April 21 to 24, an online questionnaire was administered to 1,079 Nonghyup cooperative members nationwide and 1,000 members of the general public.
By reform item, 83.1% of cooperative members and 90.5% of the public supported changing the Nonghyup Central Association president selection to a direct election by members. The establishment of a Nonghyup audit committee drew support from 85.8% of members and 93.3% of the public.
On strengthening the ministry's oversight of holding companies and subsidiaries, 67.5% of members and 85.0% of the public were in favor. Lowering the threshold for information-disclosure requests so that a single member can file a request received support from 68.9% of members and 79.7% of the public.
Respondents most frequently cited misconduct by executives, including the president and cooperative heads, as the main reason reforms are needed: 55.1% of members and 73.0% of the public gave this answer. An operational structure centered on cooperative heads and problems with agricultural distribution and price stabilization were also highlighted.
Supporters of direct elections for the central association president most often pointed to strengthening member sovereignty and enhancing democratic governance. Opponents warned of high campaign costs, a shift toward popularity-driven pledges, concentration of the president's power, and the risk of politicization.
Proponents of an independent audit committee said it would enable fair audits without internal pressure. Opponents expressed concern that such a committee could increase government influence.
Minister Song Mi-ryeong of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said, \"This survey demonstrates that Nonghyup reform is a task that a large majority of cooperative members and the public agree on.\" She added, \"We will work to ensure that field opinions raised during regional briefings are reflected in deliberations in the National Assembly.\"
She also said, \"We will promptly prepare follow-up reform measures—such as revitalizing commercial operations and scaling up cooperatives—so that Nonghyup can restore its core functions.\"
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