Gyeonggi Province has announced plans for a comprehensive investigation into farmland usage, aiming to normalize its usage and eradicate land speculation by the end of the first half of the year. The investigation will employ a variety of administrative resources, including local officials, to assess critical factors such as compliance with agricultural management, legitimate ownership documentation, illegal rental agreements, records of agricultural supplies and produce sales, as well as operations of corporate agricultural entities involved in speculative land practices. The specific schedule and methods of the investigation will align with guidelines from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

To enhance oversight, a joint investigation framework involving the province's Agricultural Policy Division, Land Information Division, and Audit Committee has been established. This initiative aims to closely scrutinize sophisticated speculation tactics and illegal transactions evading legal regulations. If violations are discovered, the authorities plan to take strict actions pursuant to existing laws. The investigation will cover all farmland in the province, extending beyond the mandatory inspection requirements set by the Ministry, to focus on sophisticated speculative practices, including foreign ownership of farmland and acquisition by non-residents.

Additionally, the Land Information Division will conduct targeted investigations into illegal farmland transactions within designated areas suspected of smart speculation and fraudulent residency registration. During a related visit to a site in Yongin suspected of illegal non-cultivation, Deputy Governor Kim Seong-jung emphasized the importance of thoroughness due to the high pressures for development in the metropolitan region. He reiterated that the investigation should not only aim to expose illegal practices but also serve to benefit genuine farming individuals during the process, ultimately contributing to a more equitable agricultural landscape.