(Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Han Ju-hong = The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, in collaboration with the Korea Institute for Rural Economy (KIRE), held the "Launch Ceremony of the Consultation Group for Results Generation of the Rural Basic Income Pilot Project" on the 29th, ahead of the implementation of the rural basic income pilot project next year. The launch ceremony was attended by Song Mi-ryung, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Lee Han-joo, President of KIRE, along with 100 others including the Economic and Human Sciences Research Council (NRC) Rural Basic Society Research Team, chiefs of 10 counties targeted for the project, related officials from local governments, and relevant experts. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs explained that it plans to operate a rural basic income policy model reflecting the regional characteristics of the 10 counties targeted for the pilot project. Furthermore, in order to establish a legal basis for the rural basic income support, the Ministry plans to finalize related legislation next year. KIRE, through its Rural Basic Society Research Team, will prepare methods and indicators for evaluating the pilot project in advance and conduct an in-depth analysis of policy effectiveness. Based on this, the Ministry plans to review the direction of this project through a process of social discussion and public discourse by 2027. Minister Song said, "We will spare no necessary policy support to ensure that rural basic income becomes the driving force for revitalizing regions at risk of extinction and the cornerstone for balanced national development."