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

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 Debate 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 the work of carefully reviewing and researching 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 will come where jobs do not increase significantly." 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 food sources." This seems to emphasize his competitiveness as a candidate preparing for the future.

He continued, "We need to look more closely at how to narrow the gap and prepare for the future regarding the worsening wealth disparity between classes and generations," and said, "Rather than ideologically aiming for centrism, we need to think about and discover practical economic policies for improving the quality of life of the people."

While he is open to progressive agendas or practical values in economic policies, he emphasized a "clear fight" in the opposition relationship. Kim said, "The Democratic Party 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 members, so the existing stance has not changed," adding, "In this situation, a floor leader with strong fighting power is needed."

He added, "Past opposition fights 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 lack strength or seats, the people will judge."

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 opinion expressed in response to questions about the candidates' stance on pardons.

Kim, who is from Boryeong and Seocheon in Chungcheongnam-do, also explained the significance of a "Chungcheong-origin" floor leader. He said, "To achieve a clear victory in the presidential election and bring about a regime change, we need to broaden the base across generations and regions," adding, "The core of this is to occupy the central region, and if Kim Tae-heum from Chungcheong, the central region, becomes the floor leader, the People Power Party can shed the stigma of being a Yeongnam party and easily expand its regional base."

Additionally, Kim emphasized that among the floor leader candidates, he is the most free from personal issues. He said, "If the new floor leader is attacked over personal issues and the vanguard is shaken, the organization can be shaken." Kim expressed concern, saying, "In the case of Kim Ki-hyun, he is a victim of the Blue House's interference in the Ulsan mayoral election, so he can fight well against the Moon Jae-in government, but conversely, he might be the worst at fighting," adding, "If the person involved fights strongly, objectivity cannot be guaranteed, and it may be seen as 'political revenge.'" He also mentioned, "The next floor leader should be a leader who manages the presidential election phase, but member Kwon Seong-dong has veto forces within the party." Regarding member Yoo Ui-dong, he pointed out, "He is entangled with a specific faction."

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