Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party of Korea presidential candidate, visited North Jeolla Province and claimed that implementing basic income for rural and fishing communities is not difficult. He reiterated his signature policy of "basic income" as a solution to regional extinction and a way to revitalize local economies.
The candidate continued his "Listening Tour for Neighborhoods" in Jinan County, North Jeolla Province, on the 7th. This morning, the tour was conducted by engaging with local residents and small business owners in Jinan, Imsil, Jeonju, and Iksan in North Jeolla Province as well as Cheongyang and Yesan in Chungcheongnam-do.
The candidate appeared around 10 a.m. wearing a gray coat and a striped shirt at Jinan's snack street and greeted supporters. Ahn Ho-young, a member of the National Assembly from Jinan County, Lee Won-taek, the chair of the North Jeolla Province Party, and Jung Eun-kyeong, the former head of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, accompanied the candidate in visiting Jinan. The candidate stated, "I stopped by shops selling ginseng and red ginseng, the local specialties of Jinan County, spoke with the merchants, and purchased items using local currency.
After greeting local small business owners, the candidate went up to the podium in front of a chicken restaurant and promised to achieve balanced regional development. He emphasized that basic income for rural and fishing communities would increase population influx into the area and invigorate the region. He also mentioned plans to expand the “Sunlight Pension,” which provides dividends to local residents through solar power generation in Sinan County, Jeollanam-do.
The candidate remarked, "There is someone among my supporters who carries a banner advocating for rural basic income, and (rural basic income) is not that difficult," adding, "Even the budget of Jinan County exceeds 20 million won per person, and if the North Jeolla Province and the central government support 200,000 won per person monthly, businesses will do well."
He continued, "While there are limitations to local government budgets, if the government releases funds and increases discretionary budgets to issue local currency in large quantities and provide basic income for rural and fishing communities, the population in rural areas will likely increase," and questioned, "Is this just handouts? It's taxes that citizens have already paid anyway."
The candidate also mentioned that he heard, "This area (Jinan County) has been selected for the renewable energy convergence support project for two consecutive years," and added, "The mayor of Sinan County approved permits for solar power projects and said that 30% of the project rights should be given to local residents, allowing them to receive dividends. By providing such stable income and living in a scenic neighborhood with generous people, isn't it much better?"
He emphasized, "There is still sunlight and wind in Jinan that can be converted into renewable energy, which can yield several times the profits compared to farming," and stated, "The reason it is being neglected is solely to maintain power, to plot against my political opponents, and to cover up my family's and friends' crimes—these thoughts are what lead to martial law and insurrection, aren't they?"