Lee Jae-myung: "Governor Kim Kyung-soo's Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam Megacity Should Be Actively Supported by the Government"

Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung is holding a youth meeting in the Gyeongnam region at the Democratic Party of Korea's Gyeongnam Provincial Party Office conference room on the 31st of last month, answering questions from young people.

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, who embarked on his first nationwide field tour covering 1,200 km after announcing his candidacy for the Democratic Party's presidential primary, asserted that the government should promptly take the lead in advancing the 'Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam (Bu-Ul-Gyeong) Southeast Mega City' initiative proposed by Kim Kyung-soo, Governor of Gyeongnam Province.

He also emphasized that, given the severe youth employment issues, basic income payments using expiring local currency should be actively promoted as an economic welfare policy to revitalize the market.

Governor Lee expressed these views during a 'Youth Meeting in Gyeongnam Region' held for about an hour at the Democratic Party's Gyeongnam Provincial Office conference room at 5 p.m. on the 31st of last month.

At the meeting, regarding the concentration in the metropolitan area, Lee said, "Achieving balanced development between regions and between central and local governments is essential for sustainable growth," adding, "Balance must be maintained starting from government capabilities such as fiscal authority, industrial allocation, and placement of public institutions. Although there may be short-term losses, from a national perspective, considering growth and development potential, strengthening efficient local decentralization and regional development is absolutely necessary in the long term."

He continued, "(In terms of regional development) the 'Bu-Ul-Gyeong Southeast Mega City' plan promoted by Governor Kim Kyung-soo is truly a great initiative, and I believe it should be adopted and swiftly implemented at the central government level," adding, "There is a need to make that area a base for renewable energy transition. In the Southeast region, traditional manufacturing industries such as logistics, aviation, railroads, cultural contents, shipbuilding, and automobiles require transformation, and there will be opportunities in that process."

Governor Lee identified the fundamental problem faced by the youth generation as a "lack of opportunities due to low growth."

He explained, "The root causes of conflict, division, despair, resentment, and anger among young people seem to be the issue of low growth," and added, "(Therefore) I made growth my primary pledge."

Regarding youth job creation measures, he said, "Jobs are created by the market, and what the government can do is short-term emergency response," emphasizing, "Basic income is what enables the market to revive. However, some criticize, asking, 'Why give basic income? Create jobs for the youth. Instead of giving fish, shouldn't we teach how to catch fish?' But when asked what the method of catching fish is, they have no answer," delivering a sharp rebuke to the blind critics of basic income.

Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung is fist-bumping with a young person attending the youth meeting in the Busan area.

In particular, he argued, "To alleviate income inequality and because local small business owners are struggling, money must circulate in local areas," adding, "Since economic downturns occur due to insufficient demand, demand must be expanded. The economic welfare policy that simultaneously satisfies this is basic income paid through expiring local currency."

Governor Lee also expressed his views on various other areas, including education, gender conflicts, startup support measures, youth support issues, and enhancing the competitiveness of local universities.

Meanwhile, from the 30th of last month to the 2nd of this month, Governor Lee undertook a 3-night, 4-day nationwide tour covering a total of 1,200 km, visiting Daegu-Ulsan, Busan-Changwon, Jeonju-Jeonbuk, and Daejeon-Chungcheong over the weekend.