Kim Eun-hye: "United Party is preparing an election white paper... Basic income will be a topic for future discussion"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Lee Ji-eun and Lim Chun-han] The United Future Party is preparing a white paper analyzing the causes of its election defeat. Regarding United Future Party Emergency Committee Chairman Kim Jong-in's official statement on basic income, describing it as a "goal of material freedom," the party drew a line by saying it is a "topic for future discussion."

Kim Eun-hye, spokesperson for the United Future Party Emergency Committee, told reporters at the National Assembly on the 3rd, "We will soon publish a white paper that rigorously reflects on ourselves from an internal perspective, not an external one."

Chairman Kim attended a 'June Study Meeting' in the morning, mainly composed of first-term lawmakers, and gave a lecture. Through a back briefing on this meeting, Spokesperson Kim said, "We discussed fundamental issues such as why the 30s and 40s turned their backs on the United Future Party and why people from Honam ignored us, questioning the root causes including the failure to address the flow of the world and issues of unfairness and inequality," adding, "Before proposing the first bill, we need to gather the public's perspective, so we will prepare slowly."

Regarding Chairman Kim's statement in the lecture that the "goal is material freedom," she said, "It is more about freedom from poverty than material freedom," and added, "I believe the party's value lies in solving basic livelihood issues, so the concept of freedom was introduced."

This statement has been interpreted as an official stance on basic income policy. In response, Spokesperson Kim said, "It is a topic that can be discussed in the future," and added, "There may be concerns among traditional supporters, but to convey the Emergency Committee Chairman's remarks, it would be appropriate to say, 'We have not forgotten the basics. We move forward together.'"

She continued, "Regarding officialization, to speak on behalf of the Chairman's remarks, 'This is not a matter that can be decided in a day or two, nor is it a simple issue to be presented immediately,'" adding, "It is true that we have reached a point where we need to look after vulnerable groups even if it requires spending public funds."

Regarding the formation of the Economic Innovation Committee, she said, "Personnel appointments are in progress," and added, "We plan to announce it as soon as possible."

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