Unified Party Formalizes 'Basic Income' Discussion... Expected to Discuss at Economic Innovation Committee

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 Kim Hye-min] As the United Future Party has formalized discussions on 'basic income,' this agenda is expected to be discussed at the Economic Innovation Committee. The Economic Innovation Committee is expected to be formed by mid-month.

Kim Eun-hye, spokesperson for the United Future Party, told reporters after the Emergency Response Committee (ERC) meeting at the National Assembly main building on the 4th, prefacing her remarks as personal opinion, "(The basic income agenda) will be carried out through the Economic Innovation Committee, and it seems that the party's internal discussion process will go through a supplementary organization."

Earlier, Kim Jong-in, the ERC chairman, formalized the discussion on basic income during the ERC meeting that day, saying, "It is time to discuss basic income."

Regarding this, spokesperson Kim explained, "The ERC chairman said that even if the changes seem like ones we cannot catch up with in this changed era, we must respond actively and proactively," adding, "In particular, there was an opinion that the third supplementary budget (supplementary budget) should be made so that small and medium-sized enterprises, ventures, small business owners, and self-employed people can survive after the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19)."

Until the day before, Chairman Kim had stated that "it is not yet the stage to talk specifically about basic income." On this, spokesperson Kim said, "Please interpret it as meaning that review is necessary," and added, "Please understand that it was about discussing the need to review income security due to job reduction in preparing for the 4th Industrial Revolution."

Regarding the personnel for the Economic Innovation Committee that will discuss basic income, she said, "They said it would not take too long, and we will make sure it does not go beyond mid-June."

Work on revising the party platform will also proceed. Spokesperson Kim said, "A task force (TF) related to the party platform will be formed soon," adding, "It will be mainly composed of young lawmakers in their 70s and 80s generation, and current members of the National Assembly will also participate."

Meanwhile, on the same day, the United Future Party held its second ERC meeting and appointed Assemblyman Lee Cheol-gyu as Vice Chairman of the Strategic Planning Meeting, Assemblyman Ham Kyung-woo of Goyang-eul as Vice Chairman of the Organization Committee, and newly appointed first-term Assemblyman Bae Jun-young as an additional spokesperson.