Paju Mayor Kim Kyungil: "We Will Realize a Basic Society Through Basic Income and Housing Policies"

Council of Basic Social Local Governments Proclaims Vision for a Sustainable Korea
Local Governments to Lead Nationwide Expansion of Basic Social Policies for a Dignified Life for All Citizens

The Council of Basic Social Local Governments, chaired by Paju City in Gyeonggi Province, held the 'Basic Social Vision Proclamation Ceremony' on the 8th at the National Assembly Library Auditorium. At the event, the council declared its vision for a society where everyone has fair opportunities, a society free from discrimination, exclusion, inequality, and blind spots, a society where the local economy is revitalized, and a sustainable society that coexists with future generations. The council also announced its commitment to spread the basic society model nationwide.

The Council of Basic Social Local Governments, chaired by Paju City, held the 'Basic Social Vision Proclamation Ceremony' on the 8th at the National Assembly Library Auditorium. Kim Kyungil, mayor of Paju City, is delivering a greeting. Provided by Paju City

The 'Vision Proclamation Ceremony' was attended by Hwang Myungseon, Supreme Council Member of the Democratic Party of Korea; Park Joomin, Chairperson of the National Assembly Health and Welfare Committee; Ahn Hoyoung, Chairperson of the National Assembly Environment and Labor Committee; Kim Seungwon, Chairperson of the Democratic Party of Korea Gyeonggi Provincial Committee; lawmakers Yoon Hoo-duk, Park Jung, Kim Younghwan, Yoon Jonggoon, and Seo Mihwa; Yong Hyein, leader of the Basic Income Party; Kim Kyungil, Mayor of Paju City and Chairperson of the Council of Basic Social Local Governments; heads of member organizations of the council; and Kang Namhoon, Chairperson of Basic Society.

Kang Namhoon, Chairperson of Basic Society, who delivered the keynote speech, stressed that a national consensus on a new welfare state called 'basic society' is essential to guarantee the fundamental rights of the people as stipulated in the Constitution. He particularly emphasized the importance of realizing a basic society by utilizing shared wealth.

Jung Kyunseung, professor at Kunsan National University, who presented examples of policy proposals for basic society, introduced a regional basic income model that distributes dividends to residents by integrating and utilizing local renewable energy, agricultural, and tourism resources. Hwang Woohyun, professor at Seoul National University of Science and Technology, proposed establishing an eco-friendly energy belt in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), transforming it into a space for ecological and climate cooperation, and securing joint renewable energy infrastructure for both South and North Korea.

In the vision announcement that concluded the event, Kim Kyungil, Mayor of Paju City and Chairperson of the Council of Basic Social Local Governments, emphasized that basic society is not a waste of resources but an 'investment' in the 'potential' of all citizens. He pledged that local governments would take the lead in the journey toward realizing a sustainable basic society.

The Basic Society Local Government Council announces the Basic Society vision for a sustainable Republic of Korea. Sixth from the left, Kim Kyungil, Mayor of Paju City. Photo by Paju City

Meanwhile, the Council of Basic Social Local Governments, with Paju City as the chair and 28 local governments participating, used this vision proclamation ceremony to declare the commitment of local governments nationwide to realize basic society. The council promised to pool policy capabilities and strengthen cooperation with the National Assembly, central government, and civil society to achieve a basic society where everyone can enjoy a fair life.

Mayor Kim Kyungil stated, "Today's vision proclamation ceremony is significant as it marks the first step in which local governments have proactively declared their vision for realizing basic society before the public. The council will continue to spread the values of basic society nationwide through policy experimentation and institutionalization at the regional level, and will develop and share sustainable basic society policy models in various fields such as energy, care, housing, and transportation."

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