Basic Income: South Korean President Lee Jae-myung's Bold Exploration

In the South Korean political arena, Lee Jae-myung is a highly scrutinized figure. In addition to well-known labels such as "Soda Mayor" and "Hunger Striker," he has another significant identity: an advocate for basic income. For over a decade, Lee Jae-myung has been promoting what seems like a crazy idea: in the era of artificial intelligence, should everyone unconditionally share in the wealth of society?

Basic income, which refers to unconditional cash subsidies paid periodically to all citizens, is commonly known as Universal Basic Income ( UBI ). This concept has a long history, with discussions dating back to Thomas More in the 16th century to Nobel Prize-winning economists in the 20th century. With the development of artificial intelligence, discussions about UBI have become increasingly fervent globally, and several countries have begun pilot programs.

In South Korea, Lee Jae-myung is the most active practitioner of UBI. In 2016, during his tenure as the mayor of Seongnam, he unconditionally provided 1 million won to all youths aged 24. This initiative, although criticized, achieved unexpected success. Later, as the governor of Gyeonggi Province, he expanded the plan to a population of 13 million. In 2022, he launched a bolder experiment in rural areas, providing a monthly allowance of 150,000 won to all residents of a village for five years.

In the 2022 presidential election, Lee Jae-myung proposed a progressive UBI plan that aimed to provide an annual basic income for all South Korean citizens. However, due to controversies surrounding funding sources and other issues, he had to adjust the proposal. Despite losing that election by a narrow margin, Lee Jae-myung did not give up on his ideals.

In the latest campaign, Lee Jae-myung proposed the concept of "Basic Society." This is a comprehensive income support system that covers the entire life cycle. Although the name has changed, the core idea remains UBI. He believes that in an era dominated by AI production, the assumption that "everyone can work continuously" is outdated, and the benefits of technology should be shared by all.

Lee Jae-myung's UBI concept stems from a profound reflection on modern societal issues. He believes that UBI can address the gap between the rich and the poor, as well as the impacts brought about by technological revolutions, while also stimulating the economy. More importantly, he views UBI as a means to ensure citizens' "basic economic rights," allowing people to pursue more meaningful work and life.

In South Korea, UBI has moved from a fringe idea to mainstream discussion. Not only are there dedicated political parties supporting this concept, but other political forces are also exploring similar proposals. However, the full implementation of UBI still faces many challenges, such as fiscal sustainability and social consensus.

Regardless of what the future holds, Lee Jae-myung's exploration of UBI has provided valuable experience for social policy innovation. In an era of rapid technological development, his efforts have sparked deep reflection on human values and dignity: as machines take over production, how do we shape a meaningful future society? This may be the most precious political legacy that Lee Jae-myung leaves us.