Haenam County in South Jeolla Province is ramping up preparations to secure selection for the 2027 rural basic income pilot project. As the government pushes to expand the pilot program and increase national funding support, the county is focusing its administrative efforts on building community consensus, securing funding, and revitalizing the local economy.
On October 19, Haenam County held a special lecture on basic society and rural basic income, attended by over 200 public officials and local residents in the second-floor conference room of the county hall.
The lecture aimed to share the policy significance of a basic society and the necessity of introducing rural basic income ahead of the pilot project application, while also expanding community participation and cooperation.
Speakers included Kang Nam-hoon, vice-chairman of the Basic Society Committee, and Park Cheol-hwan, secretary-general of the National Rural Basic Income Movement Alliance.
Kang explained the concept and structure of a basic society, its differences from existing welfare states, and the meaning of shared wealth, outlining the policy direction that a basic society aims to achieve.
Park focused on the necessity and expected benefits of introducing rural basic income, discussing its potential to stabilize living conditions and revitalize the economy in areas facing population decline.
Participants examined the potential impacts of rural basic income on residents' lives and the community, sharing strategies for local cooperation necessary for Haenam County's selection as a pilot project site.
The county's efforts to secure this project are driven by structural issues facing rural areas, including population decline, aging, and reduced local consumption.
Rural basic income is a policy that provides regular income support to residents who meet certain criteria, aiming to stabilize living conditions and stimulate local consumption.
However, for basic income to effectively revitalize the local economy and maintain the resident population, it must be supported by a clear payment method, designated spending areas, connections to local businesses, and stable funding sources.
The government's plan to expand the pilot program is also influencing Haenam County's preparations.
According to the county, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has included in its budget proposal plans to expand the target areas for the 2027 rural basic income pilot project from 17 to 35 counties and to increase the national funding support ratio from 40% to 50%.
However, this expansion plan is reflected in the government budget proposal, and the final project scale and support conditions will be determined based on budget approval and application procedures.
In anticipation of this, Haenam County is reviewing its existing project plans, drafting relevant ordinances, and exploring funding strategies.
The county is working with the local council to promote the establishment of ordinances related to rural basic income while also building a collaborative system among departments dealing with budgets, population policies, local economies, small businesses, and renewable energy.
In particular, the county plans to not only prepare administratively for project selection but also to explore ways to connect basic income payments to local consumption to stimulate the economy.
Kang Myung-hwa, head of the Population Policy Team at Haenam County's Future Community Division, stated, "I hope this lecture serves as an opportunity for public officials and local residents to understand and empathize with the necessity of a basic society and rural basic income. We will continue to expand community consensus through ongoing education and outreach, while striving to secure selection for the 2027 government rural basic income pilot project."
Haenam County plans to enhance community engagement and cooperation with relevant organizations, aiming to improve the specificity of its project plans and the effectiveness of financial operations in preparation for the application process.
Meanwhile, Haenam County is pursuing the rural basic income pilot project as a key policy initiative to address population decline and revitalize the local economy. The county intends to comprehensively review related ordinances, budgets, and strategies to promote local consumption in anticipation of the government's project expansion, continuing its preparations based on community participation.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.