'From Basic Income to University Education' The Dynamic Journey of 80-Year-Old Kim Jong-in

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Kim Jong-in, the emergency committee chairman leading the United Future Party, which is in crisis after a crushing defeat in the general election, is setting the political agenda by presenting various topics ranging from basic income to the Data Agency and university education. While some within the party criticize the feasibility of these ideas, others praise him for his "youthful thinking."

On the 3rd, Chairman Kim brought up the topic of basic income by mentioning "material freedom for a hungry person to buy bread." By addressing basic income, traditionally a progressive agenda, from the conservative camp first, he has taken the lead in the issue.

Presidential candidates have responded to the topics raised by Chairman Kim, and discussions on basic income are gaining momentum. Lee Nak-yeon, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated in a media interview that he "understands the purpose of the basic income system," and Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, who proposed basic income as his first pledge, also responded positively. Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, likewise reacted positively, saying he would "consider introducing a Korean-style basic income."

Voices opposing basic income are also growing louder. Park Won-soon, Mayor of Seoul, opposed basic income, saying "nationwide employment insurance should come first rather than basic income," and Hong Joon-pyo, former leader of the Liberty Korea Party, criticized it as a "socialist rationing system." Former Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon proposed the 'Safe Income System,' a right-wing concept of basic income.

The United Future Party plans to draw up a concrete blueprint regarding the funding, recipients, and sustainability of basic income, centered on the Economic Innovation Committee under the emergency committee officially launched on the 11th.

While the basic income issue remains hot, Chairman Kim also raised topics related to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, such as the 'Data Agency.' After first mentioning the Data Agency on the 4th, he attended a Data Agency expert meeting hosted by the United Future Party at the National Assembly on the 11th, emphasizing its necessity by stating, "Data is the most important raw material of the Fourth Industrial Revolution." Although discussions about the Data Agency have already been ongoing within the ruling party, Chairman Kim appears to be one step ahead by officially raising the issue at the party level.

Won Hee-ryong, Governor of Jeju Province, who had been critical of Chairman Kim, also raised his voice on the 12th, saying, "I actively welcome Chairman Kim’s proposal to establish the Data Agency."

As part of responding to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the need to reform higher education was also raised. On the 11th, in his opening remarks at the emergency committee meeting, Chairman Kim questioned, "Is the 10-year university course of 4 years bachelor's, 2 years master's, and 4 years doctoral really useful?" and proposed establishing a Higher Education Deliberation Committee within the National Assembly.

He also criticized the ruling party for not actively addressing education issues. In a closed emergency committee meeting, Chairman Kim said, "The current education system is entrenching inequality," and "Above all, the Democratic Party, which advocates equality, has not mentioned this educational inequality." In media interviews, he also mentioned the need for public regulation to suppress the private education market.

Less than two weeks after officially starting his activities, Chairman Kim is pouring out economic, industrial, and educational topics that the traditional conservatives had not raised before. Some view this critically. United Future Party lawmaker Jang Je-won said on Facebook, "These are dream policies, but we must ask about their feasibility," adding, "If they are only talked about and not implemented, the party will become a boy who cried wolf." On the other hand, United Future Party lawmaker Ha Tae-kyung said, "Chairman Kim is the oldest biologically in our party, but his thinking is the youngest."

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