Group 1 - The price of rice in South Korea has surged this year, with the price of 20 kilograms of rice exceeding 60,000 KRW, prompting the government to release reserve rice and expand discount activities, but with limited immediate effect [1][2] - As of September 3, the average retail price for 20 kilograms of rice was 60,294 KRW, reflecting a 17.2% increase compared to the previous year [1] - Extreme weather has significantly impacted domestic rice production, leading to a projected 2% decrease in production for the 2024/25 marketing year and a historical low in planting area for 2025/26 [1] Group 2 - The South Korean government is implementing a "loan" strategy to release reserve rice, with plans to lend 30,000 tons of government reserve rice to local distributors by the end of August 2025 [2] - The government is also encouraging large retailers to increase discount activities, considering raising the current discount from 3,000 KRW to between 4,000 and 5,000 KRW per 20 kilograms [2] - Despite these measures, as of September 3, 2025, rice prices remain high, and public dissatisfaction regarding rising prices persists [2]