The central government covers only 40% but takes all the credit
"Even as a pilot project, it is difficult to bear 16.2 billion won in provincial funds
I am fundamentally opposed to basic income"
With Cheongyang County selected as the pilot site for the Rural Basic Income project, Kim Taeheum, Governor of Chungnam Province, reaffirmed his strong opposition by stating, "Basic income is a communist idea."
Governor Kim said, "The central government is taking the credit while shifting the burden onto local governments," and in response to Cheongyang County's request for full (100%) provincial funding, he stated, "I understand, but further discussion is needed," drawing a clear line.
On October 20, during his visit to Cheongyang County as part of the fourth-year schedule of the 8th popularly elected term, Governor Kim made a series of sharp remarks regarding the county's push for the Rural Basic Income pilot project.
On this day, Kim Dongon, Mayor of Cheongyang County, said, "Cheongyang County applied for the project solely with county funds," and requested, "We ask Chungnam Province to cover 100% of the provincial share."
The project has a total budget of 32.4 billion won, with both the province and the county each responsible for 16.2 billion won, sharing the cost equally at 50% each.
In response, Governor Kim said, "I expected Cheongyang to be selected," indicating his willingness to discuss, but he drew a firm line regarding the basic income system itself.
He criticized, "The government has allocated 170 billion won in next year's budget and selected six counties out of 69 regions at risk of depopulation nationwide, but the process itself is laughable. If each province selects one county, there would be nine, but this system forces competition, which is a bad policy."
He emphasized, "I am fundamentally opposed to basic income," and added, "There are households earning between 50 million and 80 million won or more, yet the idea of giving 150,000 won per month to even a two-year-old child is a communist or socialist concept."
He further stated, "If the central government only covers 40% and the remaining 60% is left to local governments, then the government takes the credit. If Cheongyang County bears 16.2 billion won, only 14 billion won will be left in the budget. How can the county handle residents' complaints with such a small amount?"
Governor Kim added, "I understand that Cheongyang County has the smallest population and faces difficult circumstances, but other cities and counties in the province are also struggling. This is not something to applaud just because money is being distributed. We need to reconsider the purpose and intent of the system from the beginning."
Meanwhile, on this day, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs selected seven counties nationwide as pilot sites for the Rural Basic Income project. These include Cheongyang County in Chungnam Province, Yeoncheon in Gyeonggi Province, Jeongseon in Gangwon Province, Sunchang in North Jeolla Province, Shinan in South Jeolla Province, Yeongyang in North Gyeongsang Province, and Namhae in South Gyeongsang Province.
Residents in the selected regions will receive a local gift certificate worth 150,000 won every month for two years. Cheongyang County aims to create a virtuous cycle by linking the basic income with its "Da-Dolbom Social Service" and expects to boost the local circular economy through the "Smart Cheongyang Movement."
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