Kim Tae-heum "We Must Consider Future Food Sources, Will Review Basic Income Introduction"

People Power Party Floor Leader Candidate Relay Interview ③ Rep. Kim Taeheum
Accepts Progressive Agendas in Economic Policy but Adopts Confrontational Stance in Opposition Relations
Regarding Pardons for Two Former Presidents, Says "It Is Inappropriate to Argue Now"

Kim Tae-heum, Member of the People Power Party. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporters Naju-seok and Lee Hyun-joo] "We will start a careful review and research on basic income."

Kim Tae-heum, a member of the People Power Party running for the floor leader election, recently stated in an interview with Asia Economy, "As the roles of robots and artificial intelligence (AI) grow, even if industries develop, an environment where jobs do not increase significantly will emerge." He made this remark regarding basic income. Although former emergency committee chairman Kim Jong-in of the People Power Party sparked the discussion last year, follow-up discussions are currently minimal.

Kim also said, "Many talk about the 4th Industrial Revolution, but what our strengths are and what we can specialize in have not been properly addressed," adding, "We need to consider this from the perspective of future growth engines." This appears to emphasize his competitiveness as a candidate preparing for the future.

He continued, "We need to look more closely at how to narrow the widening wealth gap between classes and generations and prepare for the future," and said, "Rather than aiming for ideological centrism, we must contemplate and discover practical economic policies to improve the quality of life for the people."

While he is open to progressive agendas or practical values in economic policies, he emphasized a "clear fight" in opposition relations. Kim said, "The Democratic Party of Korea elected core pro-Moon Jae-in member Yoon Ho-jung as the new floor leader, and the floor leadership is composed of former Blue House officials, showing that the existing stance has not changed," adding, "In this situation, a floor leader with strong combat power is needed."

He added, "Past opposition struggles were dragged on without clear principles and ended up being beaten; they were not proper fights," emphasizing, "In the arrogance, dogmatism, and legislative dominance of the Moon Jae-in administration, a victory in the process is necessary." Kim said, "I will fight with alternatives for victory in the process," and added, "If it becomes clear that we are right in principle but insufficient in power or seat numbers, the people will make their judgment."

Regarding the pardons of former Presidents Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye, he drew a line, saying, "It is not appropriate to argue about this now." He explained that his remarks on pardons were simply his usual beliefs expressed in response to questions about the candidates' views on pardons.

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