Lee Jae Myung Unveils Vision for Basic Society: From Life-Cycle Income Security to Housing and AI

Establishing a Life-Cycle-Based Income Security System
Expanding the Five Major Care National Responsibility System
Unifying Fragmented Social Support Systems

Lee Jae Myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, pledged on the 22nd, "I will move toward a 'Basic Society' in which the national community takes responsibility for the fundamental lives of its people."

On this day, through social networking services (SNS), Lee presented his welfare policy direction aimed at a broad Basic Society, ranging from a life-cycle-based income security system to access to artificial intelligence (AI). He stated, "The current welfare system is based on the assumption that 'everyone can work' and targets only those who fall through the cracks. In an advanced technological society where AI and robots lead production, this approach has clear limitations," adding, "We must move beyond a social safety net full of holes to a Basic Society underpinned by a thick, seamless safety mat."

Lee Jae Myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, is appealing for support at a campaign rally held at Geyang Station Square in Incheon on the 21st.

Lee explained, "A Basic Society goes beyond fragmented welfare policies or mere income redistribution," and described it as "a society that substantively guarantees the fundamental lives of all citizens, based on the right to pursue happiness and human rights stipulated in our Constitution."

To this end, he promised, "In all areas of life?such as housing, healthcare, care services, education, and public services?I will realize to the fullest extent all the rights of the people stipulated in our Constitution, and open a Basic Society where the state and society together take responsibility." He further pledged, "I will establish a dedicated national body to realize the Basic Society and build a public-private cooperation system."

Regarding this body, named the 'Basic Society Committee (Committee for Recovery and Growth for Basic Society),' Lee said, "We will oversee, coordinate, and evaluate the vision, policy goals, key tasks, and related policy implementation for realizing the Basic Society," and added, "We will build a cooperation system with various stakeholders, including private companies, civil society organizations, social economy organizations, and cooperatives." In addition to the government, he aims to reduce the fiscal burden and increase policy effectiveness through public-private cooperation. He also pledged, "We will unify the government's fragmented social support systems."

The direction of the Basic Society is comprehensive. First, he said he would establish a meticulous life-cycle-based income security system. He also pledged to gradually expand the eligibility for child allowances, introduce a Youth Future Savings program, expand employment insurance to cover special employment and platform workers, strengthen support for young carers (family caregivers) and self-supporting youth, create an old-age safety net that stabilizes both housing and income, provide basic income for rural and fishing communities and income support tailored to regional characteristics, and revitalize local economies through the expansion of local currencies.

He promised to strengthen public, essential, and regional healthcare, and to go beyond the 'Five Major Care National Responsibility System' for infants, elementary students, seniors, people with disabilities, and nursing/care services, moving toward a 'Care Basic Society' where the whole society participates in caregiving. Lee said, "I will ensure that everyone can continue living where they have always lived and receive care and medical services," and added, "We will expand quality care jobs so that caregiving becomes not just a service, but a new growth industry."

He also applied the concept of the Basic Society to housing, promising, "We will supply a wide range of diverse housing types centered on the needs of consumers."

In education, he pledged to expand support for childcare expenses and early childhood education in stages, introduce the 'On-Dongne Elementary Care' system supported jointly by the state, local governments, and education offices, strengthen students' basic academic abilities, and advance the lifelong learning system.

Regarding labor, he stated, "We will gradually introduce a 4.5-day workweek and implement a roadmap for reducing actual working hours, creating a society where both the right to work and the right to rest are naturally respected." He also expressed his intention to pursue extending the retirement age through social consensus.

He pledged to address gaps in employment insurance and parental leave systems, and to expand pilot programs for sickness benefits.

He also promised to apply the concept of the Basic Society to public services. Lee said, "We will expand customized transportation services tailored to local conditions," adding, "In metropolitan cities and large urban areas, we will expand youth and national transportation passes to reduce transportation costs, and in towns and rural areas, we will expand demand-responsive transportation services." He also pledged to support communication costs, open public data, and provide nationwide support using AI technology.

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