President Lee Jae-myung joined farmers in Gunwi-gun, Daegu, on Friday afternoon to participate in a rice-seedling transplant ceremony [1, 2].

The visit highlights the administration's focus on agricultural modernization and direct engagement with the rural workforce ahead of the primary planting season. By demonstrating the use of new machinery, the president aimed to showcase the transition toward high-tech farming in South Korea.

During the event, Lee worked alongside local farmers using a seedling transplanter to plant rice in the fields [1, 2]. The activity is part of a broader effort to support the agricultural sector as it faces evolving economic and environmental challenges.

In addition to the manual planting work, Lee observed a demonstration of drone technology used for pest control [1, 2]. These drones are designed to increase efficiency and reduce the labor intensity associated with traditional crop protection methods.

The event took place in the Gunwi-gun district of Daegu Metropolitan City [1, 2]. Local officials and farmers participated in the ceremony, which served as both a symbolic gesture of support for the farming community and a practical review of current agricultural tools.

Agricultural technology remains a priority for the government as it seeks to ensure food security and maintain the viability of rural townships. The integration of drones and automated transplanters represents a shift toward precision agriculture, a move intended to attract younger generations back to the farming sector [1, 2].

“President Lee Jae-myung joined farmers in Gunwi-gun, Daegu, on Friday afternoon to participate in a rice-seedling transplant ceremony.”

This visit signals a strategic effort by the South Korean presidency to bridge the gap between urban governance and rural needs. By focusing on drone technology and automated machinery, the administration is promoting a 'smart farming' agenda to combat the aging farmer population and labor shortages in the countryside.