(Hongseong=Yonhap News) Reporter Han Jong-gu = Governor Kim Tae-heum of South Chungcheong Province criticized the government's rural basic income pilot program, stating that it "incites conflict and unnecessary competition among local governments."
Governor Kim held a press conference in the morning of the first day at the briefing room of the South Chungcheong Provincial Government Office, saying, "If it is a pilot program, it would be appropriate to select one county in each of the nine provinces nationwide and provide 100% national funding."
The rural basic income pilot program is a project in which 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 willingness to implement, and selects six target areas within and outside the counties.
The selected counties will provide all residents with a regional love voucher worth 150,000 won per person per month from next year until 2027, with the national budget contributing 40% and the local budget contributing 60%.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs will accept applications until the 13th and is expected to make the final selection on the 17th.
The government plans to review the direction of the project based on the results of the analysis of 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, "If support is given equally to everyone regardless of income, it will be difficult to provide concentrated support to the marginalized who actually need it, and it will only increase the debt of the local government."
It is known that four counties in South Chungcheong Province, including Cheongyang County, Buyeo County, Seocheon County, and Yesan County, are hoping to participate in the project.
Governor Kim said, "To push forward the pilot project, even the four counties that have expressed their desire to apply will require an annual investment of 115.7 billion won in provincial funds," adding, "We will discuss the support plan separately if selected in the competition."
jkhan@yna.co.kr