Anchored Lee Jae-myung's 'Basic Society'... Lee "The State Guarantees Fundamental Life"

Selective State Support Is Insufficient
"We Must Move Toward a Society That Ensures a 'Basic Life' for Everyone"

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, said on the 14th, "A new social structure is needed in a society centered on technological civilization," adding, "We must move toward a society where the national community fundamentally takes responsibility for everyone's life."

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the 1st plenary meeting of the Basic Social Committee held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 14th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

At the first plenary meeting of the 'Basic Society Committee' held at the National Assembly in the afternoon, Lee said, "Currently, it is not enough for the state to support social dropouts or select some individuals and help them return to the workplace."

Lee said, "After passing through the Industrial Revolution era, the industrial society was completed, and we moved into a welfare society," adding, "However, the limitations of the welfare society have become very clear, and now I believe we must move toward a basic society." He continued, "The premise that everyone can work and sustain their life sufficiently through labor income was a story that came out in an era when labor accounted for a significant part of production," explaining, "Now, technology, not labor, is responsible for the main part of production. A society is underway where wealth is inevitably concentrated in the hands of a few who possess technology, and this will intensify in the future."

He emphasized, "I hope the Basic Society Committee will draw the blueprint for a basic society covering all aspects of the people's lives."

Lee said, "There are various elements of a basic society, but among them, I think we should gradually practice a basic society, even if not in a perfect form but at least in a rudimentary form, starting from key core areas of income, housing, finance, and important aspects of life." He also said, "In the future, under the concept of 'basic services,' we should create a society where the state guarantees a basic life for the people in other areas as well. I believe this is part of the economic fundamental rights stipulated in our Constitution," expressing his hope that "the Basic Society Committee will create not only the future of the Republic of Korea but also a global future society blueprint and vision through the 'Basic Society 2050 Vision.'"

Lee had previously revealed the 'Basic Society' concept at a New Year's press conference held on the 12th of last month. Accordingly, the Basic Society Committee officially launched the day before, with Lee himself serving as chairman and appointing a total of 27 vice-chairpersons. Going forward, Lee is expected to concretize the Basic Society concept within the committee and intensify livelihood policies.

Woo Won-shik, a member of the National Assembly serving as the senior vice-chairman, said on the same day, "The Basic Society Committee will present a concrete roadmap toward a basic society and become a stepping stone for livelihood-centered politics," adding, "We plan to enhance policy specificity through dividend-type basic income for rural and fishing villages and renewable energy, and accelerate the proposal of bills related to basic income, basic finance, and basic housing, such as windfall tax laws, basic income, and carbon tax laws necessary in the era of high interest rates, as well as basic rights."