[Really] Yong Hye-in "Before the General Election, Conservative Politicians Also Proposed Basic Income Discussions... Bill to Be Submitted Within the Year"

Yong Hye-in, proportional representative elected member of the Democratic Citizens' Party. / Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

Yong Hye-in, proportional representative elected member of the Democratic Citizens' Party. Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

※ Dodaechae = The title of the elected official interview, meaning 'Challenge, the greatest politics of the 21st National Assembly.'

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] Yong Hye-in, former leader of the Basic Income Party and proportional representative elected from the Together Citizens' Party, stated, "Basic income is inevitable and I believe a consensus has already been formed," adding, "It is an issue that transcends left and right. Before the general election, many influential politicians from conservative parties also proposed discussing basic income together."

In an interview with Asia Economy on the 20th, Representative Yong dismissed the 'premature argument,' emphasizing, "We can discuss basic income together with the conservative political sphere. Starting the discussion now is crucial so it won't be delayed." He also argued, "Through the response to COVID-19, the perception that Korea is a fully developed country is taking root, and considering its position as the world's 10th largest economy, discussing basic income is not premature."

Ahead of the general election, he temporarily participated in the proportional coalition party of the Democratic Party of Korea and is now preparing to return to the Basic Income Party. The Basic Income Party aims to provide a monthly payment of 600,000 won to all citizens nationwide.

Representative Yong said, "A force that can embody new political aspirations beyond the dichotomy of progressives and conservatives is needed," and added, "We aim to propose the Basic Income Act within the 21st National Assembly this year."

He pays special attention to the spread of discussions about providing emergency disaster relief funds to all citizens during the general election. Although the disaster situation is unfortunate, it serves as an opportunity to understand and experience basic income. Representative Yong said, "There are voices opposing it because it is paid to the wealthy as well, but selective recovery through year-end tax adjustments can be done later. Above all, it is important to respond urgently, swiftly, and boldly to global shocks."

He views the fiscal condition as acceptable and sees the shift in support direction as the key issue. Representative Yong stated, "Since the Moon Jae-in administration, the budget size has increased by more than 100 trillion won. What matters is where and how it is used," emphasizing, "Policies to create public jobs or expand private employment through corporate support have resulted in unstable and low-wage jobs increasing. Now, money should circulate in local neighborhoods through direct support."

He argues that a new distribution system that does not go through corporations must be created. This differs from the traditional progressive view that values labor highly. Representative Yong said, "Wouldn't it be a better society if people could earn income by contributing socially even if they are not employed wage workers?" and added, "I think a lot about the dignity of the 'person' who works rather than labor itself."

He also believes basic income is necessary for social stability amid deepening polarization. As a respected figure, he mentioned Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., the American Black civil rights activist. Representative Yong said, "He proposed the concept of basic income not only for Black civil rights but also to solve poverty issues and was a figure who pondered together with those in lower positions."

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