( News Focus ) Debate over basic income takes center stage in S . Korean politics By Park Boram SEOUL , June 9 ( Yonhap ) -- A major debate over the idea of a state - funded basic income scheme is in full swing in South Korean politics , as the country tries to navigate its way through the post - COVID - 19 era and address potential job displacements in an increasingly AI - driven economy . Kim Chong - in , a former economist and lawmaker , now serving as the interim leader of the main opposition United Future Party ( UFP ) , proposed the discussions on the rather radical welfare plan last week . The basic income plan , similar to the " Freedom Dividend " policy of Andrew Yang , a former U . S . Democratic presidential candidate , is based on the idea of providing a government - ensured income enough to meet citizens ' basic material needs even without having to work . The idea is in line with a larger global debate on how to deal with increasing job displacements on the back of the advent of technological revolution , also known as the fourth industrial revolution . And it came to the fore recently as countries seek ways to curb the economic fallout from the COVID - 19 pandemic that has severely hurt the livelihood of households , especially those in the lower income bracket . Spain , for example , adopted a basic monthly income for struggling families last month , while the action is rekindling discussion on a pan - EU minimum income . In South Korea , following the proposal by the leader of the main right - wing party , the welfare discourse has emerged as a hot button topic for the liberal politicians angling to run for the next presidential election , as well as for the conservative party straining to shed its right - wing image . In this file photo , United Future Party ' s interim leader Kim Chong - in speaks during a press conference on June 4 , 2020 , at the National Assembly in Seoul . ( Yonhap ) As soon as he took office as the chairman of the UFP ' s emergency leadership committee last week , Kim gave shape to his basic income vision . " The value of freedom as pursued by conservatives is only a titular freedom . .. the basic goal of politics should be for the party to ( find out ) how to bring actual freedom to reality and maximize material freedom ( of people ) , " Kim noted during a lecture to the party ' s first - time lawmakers last week . In another meeting , Kim named shrinking employment and the need to harness the economy as reasons to consider basic income . Kim , however , made clear that the basic income he envisions is not a universal benefit but only for those without jobs . He also said means to finance the welfare program should precede actual implementation . The surprise proposal from the conservative party drew criticism from some experts for being " unrealistic " and a political stunt to boost the party ' s image following its devastating defeat in the general elections in April . It , however , immediately brought together prospective Democratic Party presidential candidates for what could be seen as a pre - election agenda - setting debate . Former Prime Minister , Rep . Lee Nak - yeon , who is leading public polls for favored presidential candidates , welcomed Kim ' s proposal . " I wish that ( through this opportunity ) a review and discussion could be held on the concept of a basic income program , as well as its welfare system and financing ( resourcing ) plan , " Lee told Yonhap News Agency a day earlier . Gov . Lee Jae - myung of Gyeonggi Province called the introduction of a basic income " inevitable , " saying the country needs to start adopting it at a low level before further expanding it . Joining the debate , Seoul Mayor Park Won - soon noted that what the country needs right now is employment insurance for all rather than a basic income . A composite photo of Rep . Lee Nak - yeon ( from L ) , Gov . Lee Jae - myung , Ahn Cheol - soo and Rep . Hong Joon - pyo . ( Yonhap ) Kim ' s own conservative bloc , however , appears skeptical . Independent lawmaker Rep . Hong Joon - pyo , a former conservative party leader , denounced a basic income as " social rationing . " " If it was implemented , the public may need to accept a radical tax hike and a far - reaching readjustment to the welfare system , " Hong said , rejecting the proposal . Ahn Cheol - soo , head of the minor People ' s Party , noted that the debate could lead the country in the path of bankruptcy if it becomes a competition about who could give more as a basic income . Former lawmaker Yoo Seong - min of the conservative bloc , who recently announced his bid for the next presidential election , said , " The conservative ' s value is still effective , " alluding to his objection . The presidential office Cheong Wa Dae has also dismissed the basic income debate as " too early . " " There ' s not many actual implementation cases ( in the world ) . .. consideration of the system in earnest could come only after a long discussion on resourcing and other issues win agreement , " a high - ranking presidential official said . Public response to the basic income proposal is almost evenly mixed . Some 49 percent of the 500 adults polled by Real Meter last week were in support of the introduction of a basic income . Another 43 percent opposed the idea . As the discussion on a basic income picked up traction , a bipartisan discussion group , tentatively named " basic income study group , " led by DP Rep . So Byung - hoon , has been formed . The group is reportedly planning to present a bill on a basic income to the National Assembly in cooperation with opposition lawmakers before the end of June . pbr @ yna . co . kr ( END )