United Future Party Announces '10 Major Policies' Including Basic Income and Lowering Candidacy Age

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The United Future Party announced ten major policies, including basic income and lowering the age of eligibility for election, on the 13th.

Kim Byung-min, chairman of the United Future Party's Policy Platform Special Committee, held a press conference at the National Assembly main building on the same day and revealed the ten major policies, stating, "Without any political calculation, this reflects our party's desperate change, a change solely for the people."

The ten policy directions prepared by the special committee are ▲ A country of opportunities open to all ▲ Economic innovation leading future changes ▲ Accompanying the vulnerable and realizing economic democracy ▲ A society where all workers are respected ▲ Political reform made together with the people ▲ Judicial reform for all ▲ A clean planet and sustainable Republic of Korea ▲ A country where my life is free ▲ A gender-equal society where both men and women are happy ▲ Diplomacy and security opening our tomorrow.

Details within the policy directions include ▲ basic income ▲ lowering the age of eligibility for election ▲ abolishing the Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs and Senior Secretary for Personnel offices ▲ abolishing the president's appointment authority for public broadcasting presidents ▲ abolishing TV license fees ▲ introducing a running mate system for metropolitan government heads and education superintendents.

In particular, the item "A country of opportunities open to all" includes abolishing privileges for members of the National Assembly and limiting them to four consecutive terms. Chairman Kim said, "We will report this as equivalent to the first term for incumbents," adding, "Incumbents in 2020 will only be able to serve until 2032." This means it will not be applied retroactively to current members.

The United Future Party plans to prepare its party platform by the end of next month after revising the party name. Legislation on mandatory youth nominations for local councils and lowering the age of eligibility for youth candidates is also expected to be completed before the 2022 local elections.