Guestbook

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Secretary-General Kim, who dreams of a "better tomorrow with horses," is expressing his ambition that the Let's Run Foundation will play a big role in expanding practical social contribution projects to provide practical help to the socially vulnerable, rather than donations based on various tangible and intangible assets of the Korean Horse Association while faithfully keeping the purpose of the Let's Run Foundation, which marks its second anniversary, and also meets with Secretary-General Kim Hak-shin, who dreams of a "better tomorrow with horses." The Let's Run Foundation, a representative social contribution foundation of the Korean Horse Association, celebrated its second anniversary on March 18.

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First, we regard stabilizing rice prices as the first step toward restoring trust in agricultural policy, and through close communication with farmers’ organizations and relevant ministries, we promptly finalized the harvest period measures to isolate a record-high volume of 720,000 tons from the market. Thanks to this, rice prices, which had remained at levels seen 20 years ago, surpassed 150,000 won immediately after the announcement of the measures, and have continued to rise ever since.

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We will protect the public’s healthy table by establishing a safe food production and supply system, including eco-friendly ecological farming and the safe management of agricultural materials.In particular, in preparation for the full implementation of the pesticide list of controlled substances management system, we will expand the mandatory registration of pesticides and actively promote education on the safe use of pesticides to ensure safe crop production and prevent damage to farmers.

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Like the classical idiom meaning to ride the wind and cut through the waves,when times are difficult, we should not shrink back but prepare for the future with even greater boldness.In the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the Rural Development Administration will promote rural development projects with a field-oriented, customer-centered approach that meets the expectations of farmers and the public, seeking answers on the ground and becoming a reliable source of strength for customers,

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This year as well, our agriculture and rural areas are facing major changes and challenges, including expanded market liberalization such as FTAs, climate change, and an aging population. A massive wave of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which will bring about revolutionary changes across national systems, society, and all aspects of life, is also surging forward. However, these changes and challenges can become new opportunities, depending on how we perceive and make use of them.

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Although the goals of moving toward an integrated Korean horse racing system and entering Part II have been achieved, there remains insufficient support for the improvement of racehorses and the stable establishment of the production infrastructure that would have been derived in the process of achieving those goals, raising concerns that the racehorse production industry, which is the foundation of horse racing, may become a precarious structure built on shaky foundations.

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Embracing the vigorous spirit of the rising sun, I wish all of you success and abundant happiness.Last year, on top of the nationwide unrest caused by the national turmoil of state corruption and the president’s impeachment, as well as the country’s anxiety over North Korea’s nuclear provocations, there were also earthquakes and even a fire disaster at the end of the year—truly a great tragedyI am remembered as a difficult and hard year.In the horse racing industry as well, after experiencing the successive deaths of those involved,

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With the horse meat distribution market completely collapsed, consumers should be given the right to know and be able to choose and eat it themselves.Kang Dong-woo, president of the Hanlama Producers Association, said that for Hanlama to succeed as a riding horse, a clear establishment of its pedigree must come first. He emphasized that, following this year, he would make establishing the bloodline his top priority again next year and do his utmost to brand Hallama.

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However, based on my personal thoughts, I don’t think Jeju’s horse industry should collapse. As far as I know, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry budget related to the end-of-year industry is not at all secured for Jeju Province.It is a problem with the livestock breed labeling of horse meat sold in Jeju Island. About 1,100 heads are slaughtered each year, of which roughly 60% are Deoreobred, 30% are Hallama, and 10% are Jeju horses. It is proposed to indicate exactly what breed of horse meat it is.

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Korea Racing Authority to include it in next year’s budget and requesting their help, but I received no response. And it was not included in the budget proposal to be submitted to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry by September 30. At the time of the agreement, both the Korea Racing Authority and Jeju promised active cooperation, but now they are all acting as if they don’t care. It must never be like this. As the chairman representing the Hallama-producing farmers, I will go to the very end to receive the support funds.

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Can’t the central or local government provide support just because they don’t have 500 million won in the budget.The greatest external difficulty is that internal conflicts have spread outward, causing us to be largely excluded from the institutions and organizations with which we should coexist. Securing next year’s budget is urgent, and we ask for the active cooperation of the relevant organizations and groups.It's not going well. Since Hallama was expelled from the racetrack,

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Jeju Provincial Office, and other relevant agencies will seriously consider policies and support measures that will benefit farming households. If producers ask within the association what they are getting from it, there is nothing we can answer. First of all, not only was there a lack of support for the association to carry out any projects, but there were also difficulties in communication. Jeju horses pay 100,000 won each time a horse is born as funds for breeding, but Halla horses have none of that.

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For example, when building a barn, about 60% is supported at the provincial level. However, many primary industry producers do not even receive that support because they have no money. If the province provides 50 million won in support, farmers producing horses who have no money would still have to cover about 50 to 60 million won out of pocket, which would be a huge burden. That doesn’t mean the price of horses is rising, but it keeps falling, so there is a lot to worry about.

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If given the opportunity, there is a desire to hold not only domestic competitions but also international ones. Malaysian international judges attended this competition and showed positive reactions upon seeing Hallama. Through exchanges with many overseas equestrian professionals, we also aim to create opportunities for Hallama to be exported abroad. All of this ultimately points toward the development of the domestic horse industry, and it is also a way to immediately increase the income of farmers producing Hanlama.

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Next year, just like this year, we plan to focus on establishing the pedigree and move forward in earnest. We are currently preparing to open a call for operators of a horse training hub center within the Jeju Livestock Promotion Institute, and if we can secure one, it is expected to accelerate the establishment of Hallama’s pedigree. We have already secured two trainers, and we plan to prepare thoroughly in accordance with the recruitment guidelines.In addition, a nationwide equestrian competition featuring Hanlima will also be held.

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Even when holding a competition, there can be differences in thinking among people, and in that process, misunderstandings can arise. The second round of the competition was the result of applying to the Korea Racing Authority’s call for additional selections for recipients of the horse industry development support project held last November. It will be held under the same rules and format as the first tournament. I plan to put even more effort into promotion during the remaining period.

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Only Hallama can participate. As stated in the regulations, all horses participating in the competition are Halla horses registered with the Halla Horse Breeders Association or the Korea Racing Authority.It is already well known that Hallama has participated in various endurance competitions and won several times. There is already a consensus on Halla’s excellence within the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the Korea Racing Authority, and the entire horse industry.

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Horse racing involves trainers, jockeys, and horse caretakers, while equestrian activities are divided into riding instructors, therapeutic riding instructors, and horse caretakers.Abroad, there are all kinds of professions, including horsesmen, course designers, and saddler makers, but in our country it still feels like things are rigidly fixed.While studying horses, there are many questions and confusions, but in our country, it is not easy to find information. This is the most regrettable part.

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Looking back now, at the time of graduation, I realize I can’t pick just one.Although it’s currently vacation, I go to school and ride horses whenever I can. I’ve earned the certification, but I’m not yet skilled enough to tell someone about it. First, I plan to get a job at a regular riding stable and improve my skills.In Korea, therapeutic riding is still not very well known, and there is very little information available. After studying more in the United States, I want to become an instructor who combines therapeutic riding and riding.

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Since I was riding alone in a comfortable position, my posture became stiff. It was hard because it took so long to fix my stiff posture.Three weeks before the first practical exam for the certification, I injured the ligament in my big toe. I was diagnosed by the doctor with a five-week rest. It was a time when the exam was only a short while away, so I lost my composure and felt anxious and restless For three weeks, I only went to home and the hospital The day before the exam,I went to school and practiced just once with my classmates.

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Rehabilitation horseback riding was an area I was interested in when I enrolled.Every Wednesday, students come to school for therapeutic horseback riding lessons,and at the beginning of the semester I signed up for volunteers and gained a lot of experience assisting them from the side I prepared for the demonstration test of the second rehabilitation riding lesson in the second semester of the first year.At that time,Professor Park Geum-ran and Instructor Song Yeon-hee kindly explained things to me

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By expanding the 100-won taxi service to 82 counties and regions, we will diversify transportation modes such as taxis and buses, as well as the way services are operated, to create a transportation model suited to local characteristics. We will introduce care farms that support the social adaptation of vulnerable groups, including people with disabilities, through agricultural activities and provide vocational training opportunities, so that social agriculture can be revitalized.

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In preparation for the strengthened pesticide residue limit standards to be implemented from 2019, we will expand pesticide registration and introduce a pesticide traceability management system. We will also carry out publicity and education to ensure that farmers do not suffer any disadvantages.We will expand metropolitan-level eco-friendly mountain-area distribution organizations and revitalize eco-friendly dedicated logistics centers to organize and scale up the distribution of eco-friendly agricultural products.

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FTA revision negotiations, in line with the government’s position that further opening in the agricultural sector is not possible.We select young entrepreneurial farmers who will lead the future of our agriculture and provide comprehensive support—including farmland, funding, and education—through the entry, settlement, and growth stages. We will provide up to 1 million won per month in farming settlement support funds to 1,200 young startup farmers with income at or below a certain level.

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Crop disaster insurance will introduce a new product for farmers’ safety insurance that sets an upper limit on premium rates to reduce disparities in rates between cities and counties, while strengthening coverage to the level of industrial accident insurance. Through water system connection projects and drainage improvements, we will reduce frequent drought and flooding damage, and we will also carry out seismic reinforcement of aging repair facilities in preparation for earthquakes. We will actively respond to the ongoing Korea-U.S.