Despite Fundamental Opposition, "Cannot Ignore Expectations of Cheongyang Residents... Temporary Support Only for This Year"
Amid ongoing controversy surrounding the pilot project for basic income in rural and fishing villages, Kim Tae-heum, Governor of South Chungcheong Province, has ultimately decided that the province will shoulder 30% of the funding.
Governor Kim maintained his opposition to the policy itself, still describing it as "populism." However, he made an exception by agreeing to provide provincial funding, taking into account the expectations of Cheongyang County residents, whose region was selected as the pilot site. He made it clear that this decision is a "temporary measure."
According to South Chungcheong Province on December 15, Governor Kim has finalized the decision for the province to cover 30% of the local funding required for the rural and fishing village basic income pilot project.
This move officially clarifies the province's stance on the ongoing debate over financial responsibility that has persisted since Cheongyang County was chosen as the pilot area for the basic income project.
Previously, immediately after Cheongyang County was selected, Governor Kim had stated a conditional position: "The province will initially cover 10% of the funding and will discuss any additional contributions after monitoring the outcome of discussions in the National Assembly."
However, during the subsequent deliberations by the National Assembly's Special Committee on Budget and Accounts, the budget structure was finalized, requiring the province to mandatorily cover 30% of the 60% local funding share.
The central government also made it clear that national funding would only be available to local governments that comply with the National Assembly's decision, leaving the province with virtually no other options.
Governor Kim reiterated his original stance, stating, "The rural and fishing village basic income policy is a universal cash benefit with strong populist characteristics, and the competitive selection method also provokes conflict between local governments. I am fundamentally opposed to both the direction and the approach of this policy."
He especially criticized the fact that the central government and the National Assembly effectively forced the province to cover 30% of the funding, calling it "an infringement on local fiscal autonomy."
Nevertheless, Governor Kim stated, "I cannot ignore the expectations of Cheongyang County residents, who were selected for the pilot project. The province will provide funding for this year only, and next year, we will reflect the budget after sufficient consultation with the provincial council during the supplementary budget process."
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