Government legislation ministry allows day care operators to own farmland for training

The Ministry of Government Legislation said June 23 that social welfare corporations operating day care centers may legally acquire and own farmland for children's experiential education, determining such land qualifies as training grounds necessary for their primary business objectives under the Farmland Act.

Gwangju Metropolitan City had asked whether a social welfare corporation running a day care facility could purchase agricultural land. The ministry replied that these activities are part of the childcare curriculum designed to promote physical, emotional and cognitive development in young children under the Infant Care Act.

The ministry noted that previous regulations under the repealed Farmland Reform Act explicitly permitted institutions like orphanages and kindergartens to own farmland. Current laws expanded the scope of eligible organizations from a listed format to a comprehensive one covering all social welfare facilities, indicating no intent to exclude day care operators.

Social welfare corporations must still obtain farmland acquisition approval from the provincial governor following a recommendation from the relevant central administrative agency. They are required to submit a business plan detailing how the land will be utilized, and failure to use the property for its approved purpose triggers a mandatory disposal obligation.