Choi Jae-hyung on Lee Jae-myung's Basic Income Pledge: "Pretending to Be a Robin Hood-like Hero"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Seoyoung] Former Board of Audit and Inspection Chairman Choi Jae-hyung criticized the basic income pledge of Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party's presidential primary candidate and Governor of Gyeonggi Province.

Today (24th), Lee Jae-myung posted on his Facebook titled "Basic Income, What Are the Proposals of the Ruling and Opposition Candidates?" Lee stated, "Basic income has been proven effective both statistically and experientially," and added, "It is free to criticize basic income. However, merely criticizing without alternatives is not a responsible attitude for those who aspire to be president."

However, on the same day, former Chairman Choi posted on Facebook under the title "The Government Should Not Recklessly Seize the People's Property," directly opposing Lee's opinion. Choi said, "Lee pledged universal basic income and mentioned the introduction of a land holding tax as a funding measure," adding, "He claims that the asset increase due to rising real estate prices is unearned income and intends to reclaim it."

Choi further explained, "The profit from asset price increases is not unearned income but an appraisal gain. Appraisal gains cannot be taxed." He continued, "Since when has there been a law in our country that punishes real estate ownership? This is essentially the government's idea of confiscating the people's property," sarcastically adding, "I suspect they are trying to imitate Robin Hood by stealing the people's property."

Choi concluded, "The reason for the existence of the state is to protect the lives and property of its citizens," and stated, "I cannot agree with the idea that the state would not protect but rather seize the lives and property of its people. This denies the very reason for the state's existence." He also said, "The people's wishes should not be slandered as if they live a dishonest life by unearned income or exploitation," and "If I become president, I will not introduce taxes that seize the people's property. If the political sphere attempts such measures, I will firmly oppose them."