Farmland Act.

The purpose of this Act is to contribute to the strengthening of the agricultural competitiveness, the balanced development of the national economy, and the preservation of the environment of national land through the stabilization of farmers' management and the improvement of productivity, by stipulating necessary matters for the ownership, utilization, preservation, etc. of farmland in order to utilize and manage farmland efficiently. The Act consists of 65 articles divided into 6 Chapters: General provisions (I); Ownership of farmland (II); Utilization of farmland (III); Preservation, etc. of farmland (IV); Supplementary provisions (V); Penal provisions (VI). Restrictions on ownership of farmland are provided for in article 6. A person who intends to acquire farmland shall obtain the qualification certificate for acquisition of farmland (art. 8). Disposition of farmland, etc. that is not used for agricultural management is specified in Article 10. For the efficient utilization of farmland a Farmland Utilization Plan shall be established. A promotion project for the utilization of farmland in accordance with the farmland utilization plan shall be carried out (arts. 14 to 18). The State and the local government shall devise policies concerning the experiment, research, survey, etc. for the improvement and preservation of the soil so as to help farmers and agricultural corporate bodies continue their agricultural management in a pro-environmental manner. No farmland shall be leased with charge or leased free of charge except for cases listed in article 22. The Mayor/Do governor shall designate agricultural development regions for the efficient utilization and preservation of farmland (arts. 30 to 35). A person who desires to divert the use of farmland shall obtain the permission of the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry (arts. 36 to 42). For the efficient management of farmland and of the lease of it, the Farmland Administration Committee shall be established (arts. 46 to 48).