[Interview] Lee Kwang-jae "Promoting KTX Branch Line Connections to Innovation Cities Nationwide Including Naju and Jinju"

"Priority in the 100-Year Life Era is Overcoming High-Cost Society"

Lee Kwang-jae, Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Lee Kwang-jae, member of the Democratic Party of Korea. Memo enthusiast Lee Kwang-jae is introducing his legislative activities using large Post-it notes. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] Lee Kwang-jae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, has proposed a plan to build KTX branch lines connecting nationwide innovation cities and enterprise cities. The aim is to enable small and medium-sized cities to reach Seoul within two hours, thereby overcoming the high-cost society caused by soaring housing prices in the metropolitan area. He believes that basic income payments lack feasibility and that essential living expenses such as housing, education, healthcare, and telecommunications should be reduced from the expenditure side rather than increasing income.

In an interview with Asia Economy on the 25th, Lee said, "It is difficult to live in a high-cost society in the era of 100-year lifespans." He added, "The COVID-19 pandemic showed that large cities are vulnerable to infectious diseases, and some large corporations have their employees work at local branch offices near their homes. Connecting local innovation cities, enterprise cities, national industrial complexes, and free economic zones with KTX branch lines can create a better living environment."

He continued, "In the case of Wonju, which is my constituency, you can buy a 30-pyeong apartment for around 200 million won. It is a city with medical, educational, and cultural infrastructure, and living costs are cheaper compared to Seoul. On top of that, accessibility to Seoul within two hours should be ensured."

Nationwide innovation cities include Naju in Jeollanam-do, Wonju in Gangwon-do, Jinju in Gyeongsangnam-do, Gimcheon in Gyeongsangbuk-do, and Jincheon and Eumseong in Chungcheongbuk-do, where public institutions from the metropolitan area have relocated. Lee stated, "The KTX branch line project should be funded by the national government and included in the 'Korean New Deal.' It is preferable to incorporate it into the national development strategy rather than as a supplementary budget. I have already discussed this plan with the government, and it will be reviewed."

Regarding basic income, he said, "I think it will be difficult." Lee explained, "They say they will pay 500,000 won per month, but can the funds be secured? Even if they can, it is not enough to live on. However, I understand the urgent desire to introduce basic income, and I intend to study how it can evolve with an open mind in the future."

He emphasized income earned as a participant in the platform and data economy era. Besides direct earnings, if essential costs can be reduced, that too can be considered a form of income.

Lee said, "Getting effective information through portal sites without paying money can also be included in the category of income. For example, using airline and credit card mileage across industries without restrictions, or more actively, residents participating in green energy generation projects and actually receiving money?various forms can emerge." He is also planning an exchange-value economy called 'Social Acorns.' For instance, neighbors could exchange childcare and English education to reduce costs.

While promoting the activation of the data economy, he is negative about imposing costs such as taxes on companies. Lee said, "We should consider data contribution as a way to increase participation income, but charging companies for using data should be the very last resort. Income and employment could become unstable, and if taxes are imposed, companies might move to other countries. We have no choice but to follow the global trend."

Lee emphasized, "The current situation is more serious than during the International Monetary Fund (IMF) crisis. However, just defending ourselves will not make us the protagonists of the new world, so we must take bold challenges for the future. We need to become leaders in the digital economy, advanced countries in quarantine and crisis management, respond to climate change, and further become a model country in terms of quality of life."