Muan County Council Holds Forum on Introducing Rural Basic Income Pilot Project

Published 25 May.2023 16:00(KST)

Proposing Alternatives for Resolving Regional Imbalances and Revitalizing Rural Areas Facing Extinction Risks

The Muan County Council in Jeollanam-do held a two-day forum from the 24th to the 25th on the introduction of the Muan County Rural Basic Income pilot project.

A discussion is being held on the introduction of the Muan-gun Rural Basic Income pilot project. <br>[Photo by Oh Hwan-ju]

A discussion is being held on the introduction of the Muan-gun Rural Basic Income pilot project.
[Photo by Oh Hwan-ju]

According to the County Council, the forum was chaired by Councilor Kim Won-jung of Muan County, and included Councilor Jeong Eun-kyung, Professor Ko Doo-gap from the Department of Economics at Mokpo National University, Professor Kim Mi-ok from the Department of Startup Management at Chodang University, and Choi Byung-sang, Standing Advisor of the National Federation for Rural Basic Income Movement, who all participated in the discussion.

Due to severe population decline and ultra-aging caused by low birth rates in rural areas, the rural communities are facing extinction. The need to introduce the Muan County Rural Basic Income pilot project was raised as a measure to revive these rural areas, guarantee farmers' right to livelihood, and resolve the imbalance between urban and rural regions.

Professor Ko Dugap of the Department of Economics at Mokpo National University is presenting on the implementation plan for the rural basic income before the discussion.
[Photo by Oh Hwanju]

Councilor Kim Won-jung stated, “We will form a consensus among residents through regional public discussions on the Muan County Rural Basic Income pilot project that fits the characteristics and circumstances of our county.”

Councilor Jeong Eun-kyung said, “The Muan County Rural Basic Income will be a starting point to solve the severe income disparity and territorial imbalance between urban and rural areas that have emerged during South Korea’s process of becoming a developed country.”

Meanwhile, last month, Councilors Kim Won-jung and Jeong Eun-kyung jointly proposed the ordinance for the payment of the Muan County Rural Basic Income.