Chulnam Yoon of Gyeongbuk Provincial Council: "Abolishing Provincial Council Constituencies in Depopulation Areas Destroys Local Autonomy"

Chulnam Yoon, a member of the Gyeongbuk Provincial Council (People Power Party, Yeongyang), delivered a five-minute free speech in which he strongly criticized the flawed implementation of the Rural Basic Income policy and the issue of redistricting electoral constituencies in areas at risk of depopulation. On the 21st, he called on both the Gyeongbuk provincial government and the central government to take responsible action and establish effective countermeasures.

Chulnam Yoon criticized the Rural Basic Income policy, pointing out that although the government has proposed a cost-sharing principle-40% from the national government, 30% from the provincial government, and 30% from the county government-while providing 150,000 won per month to residents of depopulation areas for two years starting in 2026, Gyeongbuk Province has reduced its share to 18%. He strongly condemned this move.

Chulnam Yoon, Gyeongbuk Provincial Council Member

Assemblyman Yoon stated, "If a region is selected as a pilot area, the plan to reduce the provincial government's share of the existing farmers' allowance is an act of stripping away existing rights under the guise of new welfare. This is not a policy for the residents, but rather a regression in welfare."

In reality, Yeongyang County is facing a situation where 9.3 billion won out of next year's 21 billion won county budget share must be covered by reallocating funds from welfare and agricultural budgets, which he said clearly demonstrates the structural problems of the system.

He also expressed concern that the selection process for pilot areas is deepening regional conflict, as selected areas feel anxiety while non-selected areas experience a sense of deprivation. He urged the province to fully shoulder its 30% share as originally planned, immediately withdraw the plan to cut the farmers' allowance, and develop fundamental fiscal remedies, including increasing the national government's share.

Regarding the issue of redistricting provincial council constituencies, Assemblyman Yoon stated, "Relying solely on the principle of proportional representation by population ignores the realities of rural and mountainous areas." He emphasized that "in areas without a provincial council member, residents lose their channel for representation, which is a serious matter that undermines the foundation of local autonomy."

Accordingly, he called on the Gyeongbuk provincial government to actively urge the National Assembly and the central government to introduce special electoral districts for rural, island, and mountainous areas, and to establish constituency criteria that reflect area size and local conditions.