Opposition in 'Study Mode' on Basic Income... Ahn Cheol-soo Says "Must Move Beyond Popularity-Driven Discussions"

United Future Party and People's Party Show Special Interest in Lectures and Debates
Opposition Raises Topic of 'Korean-style Basic Income'
Attention on Whether Specific Implementation Plans Will Emerge

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] The United Future Party and the People’s Party are showing special interest in basic income. Both parties have entered a so-called 'study mode,' attending lectures and discussions on basic income. Attention is focused on whether concrete introduction plans will emerge in the future, following the opposition's initial proposal of a ‘Korean-style basic income.’

On the 1st, Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, stated at the policy seminar ‘On(on) National Study Room’ held at the National Assembly Members’ Office Building, “I hope the prominent politicians currently mentioned as presidential candidates in our country move beyond basic income discussions that are merely about vote calculation or populism,” adding, “From now on, a proper future-oriented debate is needed on basic income and existing welfare systems regarding income security, eliminating blind spots, income redistribution, and consumption increase effects.”

Ahn referenced Sweden’s pension reform case, emphasizing, “Establishing a sustainable welfare system from a long-term perspective is not achieved through elections but through political consensus.” He added, “In Southern Europe, welfare systems were mainly created through election promises, leading to populism, unsustainability, and systems that caused national fiscal collapse.”

On the same day, the People’s Party invited Professor Yang Jae-jin of Yonsei University to give a lecture titled ‘Basic Income vs. Social Security, the Path for Korea’s Welfare State.’ Professor Yang pointed out, “Basic income is not welfare. It is difficult to have both a welfare state and basic income simultaneously. Although basic income may be a small amount for individuals, it requires enormous finances when applied to the entire population,” warning that other welfare programs might shrink if basic income is introduced.

Earlier, Ahn had announced that he would focus on reviewing the introduction plan of Korean-style basic income (K-basic income). His plan is based on the concept of justice by American philosopher John Rawls, aiming to prioritize the allocation of the government’s available welfare resources to the disadvantaged.

The United Future Party is also moving swiftly to take the lead on the basic income issue. On the 23rd of last month, Kim Jong-in, the party’s emergency committee chairman, and Won Hee-ryong, Governor of Jeju, attended the policy forum ‘Social Safety Net 4.0 and Basic Income System’ hosted by the Social Safety Net 4.0 Forum and Jeju Research Institute. At the event, Chairman Kim said, “Although basic income discussions have started in our country since 2016, there is still much controversy about its feasibility,” adding, “I think it is possible to create a ‘Korean-style basic income system’ that fits our circumstances.”

Governor Won emphasized, “We are now in a time of great transformation, and our response must also change. A bold shift in thinking is necessary,” adding, “Not only individual responsibility and market functions but also the role of the state will inevitably become more important.” He continued, “Among various ways to expand basic guarantees, basic income discussions are included,” but also noted, “It is true that basic income discussions themselves have many issues that need to be examined deeply.”

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