[Lee Jaemyung Administration 1 Year] 300,000 Benefit from Rural Basic Income, K-Food Hits 'All-Time High' Last Year

Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Releases First-Year Policy Achievements of the Lee Jaemyung Administration

It has been reported that approximately 300,000 residents are benefiting from the rural basic income pilot project promoted by the Lee Jaemyung administration. K-Food exports surpassed 10 billion dollars last year, marking an all-time high.

On May 20, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced the first anniversary achievements of the Lee Jaemyung administration in the agriculture, food, and rural affairs sector at a Cabinet meeting.

Song Miryung, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (first on the right), is listening to field opinions during a visit to a basic income franchise store in Okcheon County, Chungbuk, on April 1. Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

Since the end of February this year, the government has been carrying out a rural basic income pilot project targeting areas with population decline. The project covers ten counties: Yeoncheon in Gyeonggi, Jeongseon in Gangwon, Okcheon in Chungbuk, Cheongyang in Chungnam, Sunchang and Jangsu in Jeonbuk, Gokseong and Shinan in Jeonnam, Yeongyang in Gyeongbuk, and Namhae in Gyeongnam. Eligible residents receive a monthly basic income of 150,000 won in the form of local currency gift certificates.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, as of the end of April this year, 308,000 people had applied for basic income, and 95% of eligible residents received it. Of the total funds distributed, 127.2 billion won, accounting for 71%, has been spent.

Results from the basic income pilot project are also emerging. The total population of the ten counties increased by 4.7%, from 319,000 in September last year to 334,000 in April this year. The number of affiliated stores grew from 14,000 at the end of last year to 16,000 as of April this year. A ministry official explained, "There has been an inflow of population from the Seoul metropolitan area and nearby major cities into the pilot counties," adding, "The payment of basic income has led to an increase in new businesses in essential services such as restaurants, cafes, supermarkets, and hair and beauty salons."

K-Food exports are also continuing their upward trend. Last year, K-Food exports totaled 10.39 billion dollars, a 13.4% increase from the previous year, surpassing the 10 billion dollar mark for the first time. Not only K-Food but also agri-industry exports performed strongly, reaching 3.24 billion dollars last year, a 9% increase year-on-year. As a result, K-Food Plus (+), which combines K-Food and agri-industry exports, reached 13.63 billion dollars last year. The growth in K-Food Plus exports is continuing this year as well.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has set this year’s K-Food Plus export target at 16 billion dollars and is providing customized support through measures such as expanding entry into promising markets, marketing linked to K-content, and appointing K-Food ambassadors.

The ministry is also working to support food access for vulnerable groups, youth, and workers. Young people are now included among recipients of agricultural and food vouchers, and the 1,000-won breakfast program, previously limited to university students, has been expanded to workers in industrial complexes. In addition, previously suspended programs such as fruit snacks for children and eco-friendly agricultural produce support for pregnant women have resumed.

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