Presidential Election Key Issue Basic Income... Lee Nak-yeon "Understand the Purpose" Hong Joon-pyo "Socialist Rationing System"

Lee Nak-yeon, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending a party meeting held at the National Assembly on the 8th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] On the 8th, Lee Nak-yeon, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated, "I understand the purpose of basic income and welcome the discussion of pros and cons." As Lee, currently the most prominent presidential candidate, expressed his position for the first time, the debate over basic income has intensified.

On the same day, Lee posted on his Facebook, saying, "My principled thoughts on the basic income system," and added, "However, I hope discussions and reviews will be conducted on what the concept of basic income is, whether it aims to replace or supplement the welfare system we have promoted, and what the funding and sustainable implementation plans are."

He took the first step into the basic income debate with a cautious attitude. By saying he "understands the purpose," he acknowledges the necessity but appears to take an open stance toward discussions on methodology, such as changes to the existing welfare system and funding.

Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, is the most active advocate for introducing basic income. He warns that the issue could be taken away by conservative parties and urges the government and ruling party to adopt a more progressive stance. On the 6th, he pointed out, "Ironically, the first partial basic income in our country was proposed by conservative party candidate Park Geun-hye in the 2012 presidential election," adding, "At that time, the Democratic Party also planned a basic pension for the elderly, but it was criticized as populism, and while hesitating due to the criticism, Park took the lead."

He continued, "While the government and the Democratic Party hesitated, Kim Jong-in, the emergency committee chairman of the United Future Party and Park's economic teacher during the 2012 election, pushed forward with basic income, and now basic income is becoming the agenda of the United Future Party." Lee recently ranked second in a preference poll for the next presidential candidate, following Lee Nak-yeon.

Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon shows a slightly different perspective. He prioritizes support for vulnerable groups and sees nationwide employment insurance as more urgent than basic income. On the 7th, Mayor Park stated, "Our country is ranked as the most unequal after the United States. I fear it will become an even more unequal country after COVID-19," and argued, "Nationwide employment insurance, which is much more just than universal basic income, should be fully implemented." Seoul City has previously provided emergency disaster relief funds to the bottom 70% income bracket, not all Seoul citizens.

Despite Kim Jong-in’s remarks on reviewing basic income, the United Future Party still holds many negative or lukewarm positions. Independent lawmaker Hong Joon-pyo wrote on Facebook the same day, "The essence of the currently discussed basic income system is no different from implementing a socialist rationing system," adding, "Citizens must accept a drastic tax increase and a complete overhaul of the current welfare system. It is truly regrettable that wise Swiss citizens rejected the basic income system with 77% opposition, yet some people make claims without knowing this." He clearly opposed it, focusing on strengthening welfare for ordinary citizens. This also seems to serve as a check on the issue pushed by Chairman Kim.

Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong said during the disaster relief fund distribution process that "payments should be made multiple times to those in need," and former Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon is reportedly planning to conduct basic income research through the 'Future Research Institute,' scheduled to open this month. Former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min stated last year that "although immediate realization is difficult, it is an issue to consider in the future." Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, recently revealed that he is "researching a ‘Korean-style basic income’ that prioritizes welfare resources for vulnerable groups."

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