Shin Junghun and Yong Hyein Jointly Propose the "Rural Basic Income Act"

Monthly Payment of 300,000 Won for All Rural Areas
Overcoming Rural Extinction and Achieving Urban-Rural Balanced Development
Institutionalizing Income Stability and a Virtuous Cycle for the Local Economy

Shin Junghun, a member of the Democratic Party, Yong Hyein of the Basic Income Party, representatives of agricultural and fishing communities, and civil society held a press conference on the 26th at the National Assembly Communication Hall to jointly propose the "Rural Basic Income Act." Photo by Shin Junghun's office

Shin Junghun, a member of the Democratic Party (representing Naju and Hwasun in South Jeolla Province and Chairman of the National Assembly Public Administration and Security Committee), and Yong Hyein of the Basic Income Party held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Hall on the 26th to jointly sponsor the "Rural Basic Income Act."

The bill aims to provide each resident of rural and fishing communities with a basic income of at least 3.6 million won per year, in order to narrow the income gap between urban and rural areas, encourage population inflow, and create a virtuous cycle for the local economy.

Notably, unlike previous similar bills, this proposal designates the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, rather than the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, as the responsible government body. Shin Junghun, who chairs the Public Administration and Security Committee, explained, "The Rural Basic Income is not an agricultural support policy, but a part of the national balanced development strategy," adding, "For practical coordination and implementation with local governments, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety must play a central coordinating role."

As of 2023, the average income of farming households was only 60.5% of that of urban worker households. Intensifying climate crises and global uncertainties are further destabilizing rural incomes. This situation leads to population decline, reduced consumption, and the closure of essential local facilities, accelerating the crisis of regional extinction.

President Lee Jaemyung also emphasized during his presidential campaign that "it is the essential duty of politics to compensate and support regions facing particular difficulties, and to ensure balanced coexistence."

The recent government decision to exempt the Rural Basic Income pilot project from the preliminary feasibility study also reflects this sense of urgency. This demonstrates that the crisis of rural extinction is now an urgent national issue that can no longer be postponed.

At the press conference, Shin stated, "Although rural areas are the foundation of the Republic of Korea and the last bastion of food security, even at this moment, they stand on the edge of survival due to income disparity and population outflow," emphasizing, "The Rural Basic Income is not merely a cash subsidy, but a new social contract to revitalize rural areas, drive national balanced development, and fulfill our promise to future generations."

Yong said, "Basic income is not just a welfare measure, but the foundation for a properly functioning market economy and the minimum safety net for everyone to prosper together," adding, "The Rural Basic Income will serve as the catalyst for population inflow and local economic recovery."

Representatives of agricultural and fishing organizations and civil society, who co-hosted the press conference, also expressed their support and urged for swift enactment of the bill.

Meanwhile, Shin stated, "With the introduction of this bill, substantive discussions on concrete systems to protect the lives of rural residents and bridge the urban-rural gap will begin in earnest," adding, "I will hold Rural Basic Income forums across cities and counties in South Jeolla Province to communicate directly with local residents and faithfully reflect field opinions in the system."

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