NH Nonghyup Union Protests to Block Act Amendment

Members of the National Federation of Trade Unions’ NH Nonghyup branch continued their fifth consecutive day of a rooftop protest at the NH Nonghyup Tower in Seoul’s Jongno district on April 17, 2026.

The demonstration, initiated on April 13, opposes proposed amendments to the Agricultural Cooperatives Act currently under review in the National Assembly.

Union officials state the action aims to block legislative passage of what they describe as an overreach threatening the autonomy of South Korea’s agricultural cooperative system.

The protest centers on specific provisions within the reform package, including the establishment of an Agricultural Cooperative Audit Committee and strengthened oversight authority for the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

Union leaders argue these changes constitute excessive interference in internal governance, undermining constitutional protections for cooperative self-management.

They further contend the reforms are being pursued amid broader concerns about governance influence following recent controversies involving cooperative leadership.

Union Chairperson Woo Jin-ha, speaking from the protest site, acknowledged shared goals with reform advocates but emphasized that existing regulatory frameworks could be strengthened through incremental adjustments rather than structural overhaul.

“The intent behind the proposal is understandable,” Woo stated, “but we believe supervisory and internal control functions can be adequately restored through careful refinement of current systems.”

He urged legislators to pursue broader consultation with stakeholders to develop reforms grounded in consensus.

The NH Nonghyup branch has formally requested three key actions: suspension of National Assembly deliberations on the bill, cessation of government-led oversight initiatives via the proposed audit committee and creation of transparent management structures incorporating worker and farmer participation.