Farmers occupy highways, demand suspension of debt repayment

Tens of thousands of farmers belonging to 21 farmers¡¯ organizations across the nation held rallies in 172 counties and cities simultaneously Tuesday, demanding the rollover of their matured debts.

Farmers led by the National Farmers' Federation, in particular, called for the legislation of a special law on the suspension of repayments of farmers' debts during the rallies.

Police estimated the number of farmers participating in the rallies at 12,000.

The farmers claimed that their debts had reached 38 trillion won due to the government's failed agricultural policies and called for the government to enact a special law for the rollover of matured debts and reduction of interest.

They also called for measures to stabilize the prices of agricultural and livestock products.

The protesting farmers mobilized about 1,145 trucks and tractors and occupied many highways and roads throughout the nation, causing severe traffic congestion on the Kyongbu, Namhae and Kuma Highways and other motorways throughout the day.