Kim Jong-in "Time to Review Basic Income Issue"... United Future Party Begins Full-Scale Change

Kim Jong-in, the emergency committee chairman of the United Future Party, is attending the emergency committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 4th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy reporters Lee Ji-eun and Lim Chun-han] Kim Jong-in, Emergency Committee Chairman of the United Future Party, officially declared the basic income agenda, stating that "it is time to consider the basic income issue," signaling a shift in the party's identity. United Future Party lawmakers also held a 'Cider Policy Seminar,' aiming to address social problems and issues together and seek change.

At the Emergency Committee meeting held at the National Assembly Main Building on the 4th, Chairman Kim said, "We will no longer oppose for the sake of opposition. If it is for national development, we will actively cooperate with the ruling party." This reflects the party's intention to shed its image as an opposition party that merely opposes and obstructs, and to reinvent itself as an alternative force.

The basic income agenda was also formalized. He said, "We are currently in a once-in-a-lifetime great transformation period, and when this situation ends, our country can become an emerging power internationally," adding, "It is time to review various systems for sustainable inclusive growth, reestablish the healthcare system, create conditions for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and consider the basic income issue arising from these changes."

Chairman Kim expressed his intention to cooperate in economic policy in the 'post-COVID-19' era. He emphasized, "We will actively cooperate in legislative activities to ensure the success of the digital New Deal, including non-face-to-face medical care, for K-healthcare exports," and added, "We must provide exceptional financial support to companies reshoring overseas manufacturing facilities and make the four major insurances mandatory for platform workers to make Korea a leading platform country."

However, regarding the current government's nuclear phase-out policy, he expressed opposition, saying, "With the increase in data centers due to the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the resulting rise in electricity usage, we need to examine whether it is sustainable without nuclear power." This suggests an intention to cooperate where possible but oppose where necessary.

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the United Future Party, Lee Jong-bae, chairman of the Policy Committee, Jeong Jin-seok, and other lawmakers attending the 'Soda' policy seminar held at the National Assembly on the 4th are performing a soda drinking performance. The United Future Party named it the 'Soda' seminar to signify solving social problems and issues together. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

The United Future Party also announced policy changes. At the 'Cider Policy Seminar' held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building that morning, the party's most senior lawmaker, Jeong Jin-seok, emphasized, "What the people desire is for you to change," adding, "It is not a matter of choice but a matter of survival." He further pointed out that "it is conservative politics that has failed, not conservative values," and stressed the need for leadership change to achieve transformation. In this process, he also mentioned the need to support Chairman Kim.

He said, "Chairman Kim's 'controversial' remarks may sound harsh, but he spoke after much thought about how to change this party and how to present a new appeal to the people," adding, "Now is the time for 'Let's Go' leadership rather than the old-fashioned leadership of the past."