Kim Byung-jun "Basic Income System Requires High-Level Discussion... Should Not Be Mixed with COVID-19"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] While some local government heads are advocating for disaster basic income in relation to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), former Emergency Committee Chairman of the Liberty Korea Party, Kim Byung-joon, pointed out that "the basic income system should not be mixed with this issue (COVID-19)" and emphasized the need for a high-level discussion. Regarding former Liberty Korea Party leader Hong Joon-pyo's demand for 'resolution' from Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the United Future Party, he stated that it is not a matter requiring resolution.

On the 12th, Kim appeared on BBS Radio's 'Lee Sang-hwi's Morning Journal' and said, "The basic income system is a very important system in itself and requires a very high level of discussion."

He criticized, "(Disaster basic income) is trying to use even the term 'basic income' as COVID populism," adding, "Using such a serious issue related to the country's future as a means of COVID populism?I really don't know what this government is thinking." He also added, "If they want to distribute money, they can do so through disaster measures."

Kim further stated, "When talking about basic income, it's not just about income distribution, but also about how industry and the economy are revitalized and where the money comes from, and then basic income should be discussed," criticizing, "It seems that basic income is being brought into this just thinking about elections."

He continued, "I hope the government reaches an agreement first," adding, "The party talks on its own, local governments talk on their own, and the Blue House talks on its own, torturing the people with false hope."

Regarding former leader Hong's urging for Hwang's resolution, he said, "I don't think there is anything to resolve right now," and added, "There may have been misunderstandings about the theory of drafting candidates from difficult constituencies in the metropolitan area, but I think the party leadership who initially framed this and the leadership centered on Hwang have reasons to clarify and explain that this is not the case."

Regarding former Democratic Party Emergency Committee Chairman Kim Jong-in, who is strongly mentioned as the United Future Party's election campaign committee chairman, commenting on the 'Sa-cheon controversy,' Kim Byung-joon said, "If we do that now, it means shaking up the nomination process again, and then I don't know if we can properly conduct the election with only a month left," adding, "Since the nomination issue and the Sa-cheon controversy are being raised, if the election campaign chairman takes on the role without resolving these issues, the problem will become serious."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.