The Future of Korea: Part II

TLDR: The spring suffering is a period when almost all farmers face a food shortage as mentioned in this paper, and the conditions are so serious that in the winter and spring whole communi? ties of peasants are reduced to eating roots and bark to keep alive.

Abstract: Approximately 75% of the Korean farmers are ten? ants operating farms that average $y2 acres in size. Out of the produce, one-third to three-fourths of the crop goes to the landlord, while the tenant pays all expenses ? including taxes in many cases, although this is illegal. The situation is due to the large num? ber of tenants wanting land, with no alternative em? ployment available, so that they bargain against each other through gifts and services above the customary or legal rental agreements. The conditions are so serious that in the winter and spring whole communi? ties of peasants are reduced to eating roots and bark to keep alive. "The spring suffering" is a period when almost all farmers face a food shortage. Rents are paid in kind and, when the farmer has sold his share of the rice, paid his debts and bought cheap millet to eat, there is not enough food left for the family to live on through the winter months. Tenancy and poverty have been increasing, in spite of increased production. Japanese interests have taken over much of the best rice land