Governor Kim Dongon of Cheongyang: "80% Central Government Funding Needed to Prevent Local Extinction"

Seven Counties Submit Joint Proposal on Rural Basic Income Pilot Project
"Financially Weak Counties Cannot Bear 60% Local Funding Burden"

Kim Dongon, Governor of Cheongyang County, visited the National Assembly to strongly demand an increase in the central government’s share for the Rural Basic Income pilot project.

Governor Kim emphasized, "Responding to the depopulation of local areas is a national responsibility," adding, "There are limits to what county-level local governments with poor finances can handle with their own budgets."

According to Cheongyang County on November 10, Governor Kim, along with six other counties-Yeoncheon, Jeongseon, Sunchang, Shinan, Yeongyang, and Namhae-visited the National Assembly on November 7 and delivered a joint statement calling for the central government’s share in the Rural Basic Income pilot project to be raised from the current 40% to 80%.

On that day, the delegation met with Ki-Koo Uh, Chair of the National Assembly’s Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans and Fisheries Committee, as well as the offices of both ruling and opposition party leaders. They explained the policy intent behind the Rural Basic Income and the financial situations of each county, appealing that "without an increase in central government funding, the pilot project cannot be sustained."

In a meeting with Assemblyman Lee Jaegwan of the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts, the delegation highlighted the following points: the excessive burden of local government funding, the limitations of financially weak counties in implementing the project, and the need for a stronger role from the central government to ensure the success of the pilot project.

According to the joint statement, although the Rural Basic Income pilot project is a national policy designed for areas at risk of depopulation, it currently operates on a 40% central government and 60% local government matching structure, placing an excessive burden on county-level local governments struggling with financial difficulties.

In fact, the fiscal self-reliance rates of the seven counties are as follows: Cheongyang County 8.6%, Sunchang County 8.3%, Shinan County 8.9%, and Yeongyang County 6.7%, with most remaining below 10%. Based on this reality, the delegation reiterated the need to reduce the burden on local governments and increase the central government’s share to 80%.

The National Assembly reportedly agreed with the delegation’s explanation, expressing consensus that "an increase in central government funding is necessary for the success of the pilot project."

They also stated that they would consider ways to increase central government funding during the ongoing standing committee budget review process.

Governor Kim, who effectively led the practical aspects of this joint visit, stated, "Rural Basic Income is not simply a welfare policy, but a national experiment and a structural solution to prevent local extinction. Since it is difficult for financially weak counties to bear the cost, the central government must provide responsible support."

He added, "Through this project, Cheongyang County will prove the sustainability of rural areas and create a model that can be expanded nationwide. If central government funding is increased, we will surely establish a leading case that can change the future of rural communities."

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