President Lee Jae-myung visited Yeoncheon County in Gyeonggi Province, where the 'Lee Jae-myung-style basic income' system is being piloted, on the 13th, saying, "I designed it for at least 10 years" and added, "It won’t end sooner than that." Yeoncheon County has been piloting the provision of 150,000 won per person each month to about 400 residents of Cheongsan-myeon for four years. As the government prepares for the supplementary budget, the visit seems to be aimed at gaining momentum for policy promotion by directly listening to the opinions of residents receiving basic income.
According to Spokesperson Kang Yoo-jung of the Presidential Office, President Lee visited Gungpyeong-ri in Cheongsan-myeon, Yeoncheon County, in the afternoon with National Security Office Director Wi Seong-rak and toured local restaurants and shops. President Lee asked shop owners whether the basic income paid in the form of local currency is effective on actual sales, and what proportion of local currency payments is compared to total income.
Residents said, "The proportion of local currency is about 80%" and "Thanks to the basic income, the local commercial district has revived." They also expressed gratitude, saying, "Local currency is accepted much more than general payments," and lamented, "I heard it will end soon, which is disappointing. I hope it doesn't end." In response, President Lee said, "It won’t end." He added, "Everyone is anxious that the local currency pilot might end," and said, "I originally designed this to last at least 10 years."
This project, which started in April 2022, will end in December next year. Kim Deok-hyun, the mayor of Yeoncheon County, noted, "Since the implementation of basic income in Cheongsan-myeon, the number of enterprises has increased by 109, primarily benefiting restaurants," and expressed gratitude for implementing a policy that visibly shows the effects of basic income.
President Lee's visit to Yeoncheon County took place while the government is reviewing a supplementary budget that includes support payments for restoring livelihoods through local currency. In particular, the realization of the 'basic income payment for rural residents' promised during the presidential election is also drawing attention. The aim is to support 150,000 to 200,000 won per person per month with local currency from both the central and local governments to stimulate consumption at local restaurants.
However, the Presidential Office's stance is that it is not yet at the stage of specifically promoting the policy. Spokesperson Kang said during a briefing at the Presidential Office regarding the question of whether the plan for rural resident allowances and basic income implementation is being clarified, "This was a session to hear the opinions of residents who are actually receiving basic income, and it was for the purpose of checking what is already being implemented." He added, "There were no separate mentions of future plans."