Ruling and Opposition Parties Unite in Support of Geumsan County's Selection for Rural Basic Income Pilot Project

Final Five Counties to Be Selected from 59 at Risk of Population Extinction

Photo by Seokbong Mo

With the additional selection for the Rural Basic Income Pilot Project approaching, candidates from both the ruling and opposition parties running in Geumsan County for the June 3 local elections have spoken in unison.

All Democratic Party candidates, including Moon Jeongwoo, the Democratic Party candidate for Geumsan County Governor, announced, "The Democratic Party will ensure that Geumsan is selected for the rural basic income pilot project, which is a long-cherished wish of our residents."

On May 4, candidate Moon held an emergency press conference in the briefing room at Geumsan County Office and stated, "The government's second round of selection for the Rural Basic Income Pilot Project is being conducted from April 20 to May 7. Out of the 59 counties at risk of population extinction, five will be finally selected, and payments are scheduled to begin in July. My fellow Democratic Party candidates and I pledge to prioritize the livelihoods of our residents over our election campaigns."

He continued, "When it was revealed that Geumsan County did not even apply for the first round of the Rural Basic Income Pilot Project in October 2025, the disappointment and anger felt by the residents were only natural. The county administration deceived the residents by claiming the preparation burden was excessive, thereby missing a valuable opportunity. Moreover, instead of reflecting on this, they continued to cover up the truth with lies, causing the residents even greater pain."

Moon further emphasized, "I will personally meet with Jeong Cheongrae, the leader of the Democratic Party, and Hwang Myeongseon, the party’s highest-ranking member, to secure full support from the central party. I will also work closely with Park Soo-hyeon, the Democratic Party’s candidate for Chungnam Governor, to secure provincial funds and justify our priority in selection. Additionally, I will directly visit the relevant central government ministries to ensure Geumsan County is chosen for the pilot project."

Photo by Mok Seokbong

On the same day, all candidates from the People Power Party, including Park Beomin, signed the 'Proposal for Additional Selection of Rural Basic Income Pilot Areas' at Park’s campaign office in support of attracting the Rural Basic Income project. The signed proposals were then sent collectively to the Chungnam Governor, the local National Assembly member, and the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

In particular, they also sent the proposal to the local National Assembly member from the Democratic Party, urging support for Geumsan’s selection in the pilot project, emphasizing that the selection should transcend political affiliation or electoral interests in order to prevent regional decline in Geumsan.

Candidate Park stressed, "All People Power Party candidates running in this election have united to highlight the urgent situation facing Geumsan, which stands at the forefront of population extinction. With the final decision scheduled for the 14th, I sincerely ask the Governor, the local National Assembly member, and the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs to listen to Geumsan County’s earnest appeal so that the county can regain its vitality."

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