Yoo Seung-min: "Lee Jae-myung's 'Basic Income' Claim and 'Fair Fine'? Doesn't Add Up"

"Fair fines are a confession that basic income is not fair"

Former People Power Party lawmaker Yoo Seung-min. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Joo-hee] Former People Power Party lawmaker Yoo Seung-min criticized Gyeonggi Governor Lee Jae-myung, who advocated for a 'fair fine,' on the 29th, calling it "an admission that his basic income is not fair."

In a post on his Facebook that day, former lawmaker Yoo wrote, "Governor Lee's basic income proposes giving the same amount of money to both the rich and the poor, but now he argues that even if the same crime is committed, fines should vary according to wealth, advocating for the introduction of a 'fair fine.'"

Earlier, on the 25th, Governor Lee argued for the introduction of fair fines, saying, "Under current law, taxes and pensions are paid differently according to wealth and income levels, but fines are paid equally." He suggested that fines for the same crime should differ based on economic circumstances.

In response, former lawmaker Yoo said, "I have repeatedly criticized basic income, which is given equally regardless of wealth or income, as an unfair and anti-commoner policy," adding, "We naturally think that taxes should vary according to income or wealth. Progressive taxes even require those with higher income and wealth to pay more taxes. This is tax justice and fairness."

He continued, "Just as taxes or fines vary according to income and wealth, when the government gives money, it should naturally give more to the poor commoners. So why is basic income distributed equally?" Governor Lee has emphasized the necessity of basic income based on 'universal welfare.'

He added, "Just by looking at this, Governor Lee's argument is inconsistent," emphasizing, "Therefore, basic income is not for the commoners and is unfair."

Similar criticism was previously made by People Power Party lawmaker Yoon Hee-sook. On the 27th, Yoon posted on Facebook a message titled 'Selective welfare is absolutely opposed, but selective fines are fair? Governor Lee Jae-myung’s philosophy?' and questioned, "If the actual burden and deterrent effect of fines on the rich and the poor should be the same, why is this applied only to fines?"

She added, "If selectively setting fine amounts is fair, then for cash welfare provided by the state to be perceived as equally beneficial by the rich and the poor, shouldn't more support be given to those in need?"

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