(Hongseong=Yonhap News) Reporter Han Jong-gu = Governor Kim Tae-heum of South Chungcheong criticized the government's rural basic income pilot project application, stating, "It fosters conflicts and unnecessary competition among local governments."
Governor Kim held a press conference at the briefing room of the South Chungcheong Provincial Office in the morning, saying, "If it is a pilot project, it would be appropriate to select one county from each of the nine provinces nationwide and provide 100% national funding."
The rural basic income pilot project is a program where the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs accepts applications from 69 counties designated as population decline areas under the Local Autonomy Balanced Development Act, evaluates regional conditions and implementation intentions, and selects six target areas within and outside the counties.
The selected counties will provide all residents with a monthly regional love voucher worth 150,000 won from next year until 2027, with national funding covering 40% and local funding covering 60%.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs will accept applications until the 13th and make the final selection on the 17th.
The government plans to review the direction of the project based on the results of analyzing policy effectiveness, etc., after the pilot project.
Governor Kim said, "I have always believed that universal welfare is populism, and in the same vein, I believe this project is as well," arguing, "Providing the same support to everyone regardless of income will make it difficult to adequately support the marginalized, and it will only increase local debt."
It is known that four counties in South Chungcheong, including Cheongyang, Buyeo, Seocheon, and Yesan, are hoping for the project.
Governor Kim said, "Even if only the four counties that applied for the pilot project are selected, 115.7 billion won in provincial funding per year will be required," adding, "If our region is selected, we will have to share the burden through separate negotiations."
At the press conference, Governor Kim suggested that Asan should be selected as a single location for attracting the Second Central Police College, citing the competition between Asan and Yesan in South Chungcheong and Namwon in North Jeolla.
He said, "Asan is the most optimal location to connect Yeongnam, Honam, and the Capital Area, and it is a region with many police education facilities such as the Police College, Police Training Institute, and Investigation Training Institute."