Yanggu County in Gangwon Province is pursuing a pilot program for a rural basic income that would provide residents with monthly payments equivalent to 150,000 won (approximately $150) in local gift certificates. A key challenge will be how effectively the county can outline its plans for securing local funding and expanding consumer options in rural areas.
According to Yanggu County, a meeting of the administrative council for the rural basic income initiative was held on the 26th in the county hall's conference room. The council discussed the project application to be submitted to Gangwon Province on the 29th, along with inter-departmental cooperation.
This application process targets 52 counties nationwide that are experiencing population decline, excluding existing participant regions. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs plans to select around 18 new counties. Applications will be accepted until November 3, and Yanggu's submission will undergo evaluation by the central government before final selections are made.
Yanggu's preparation aligns with the government's evaluation criteria. The Ministry has emphasized the importance of resident participation and local government efforts to ensure the project's early establishment. The county's discussions on a dedicated implementation system and resident engagement strategies are seen as responses to these requirements. However, merely forming a council does not guarantee a competitive edge in the selection process.
Concrete financial planning is also essential. The government has proposed increasing the national funding rate from 40% to 50% in next year's budget. While this aims to reduce the financial burden on local governments, the scale and specifics of the project may vary depending on the National Assembly's budget review outcomes. Prior to the application, discussions on local and provincial funding responsibilities must take place.
If the proposed funding structure of 50% national funding and 25% each from provincial and county sources is applied, the annual payment for every 10,000 recipients would total 18 billion won (approximately $18 million), with the county's share amounting to 4.5 billion won (approximately $4.5 million). This calculation is based solely on payment amounts, and the actual costs will depend on the estimated number of recipients and final funding ratios. This is why the county must present plans for securing its share of funding alongside estimating the number of recipients.
Expanding consumer options in rural areas is another critical factor for feasibility. If residents receive gift certificates but cannot purchase essential goods and services nearby, it could lead to inconvenience. Plans must be in place to assess the distribution of participating merchants and types of businesses in each township to ensure that the payment amounts translate into increased sales for local businesses.
The administrative council is chaired by Deputy County Mayor Jeong Yeong-mi, with Kwon Eun-kyung, head of the Agricultural Technology Center, serving as vice-chair. Ten department heads from relevant offices, including the Planning and Budget Office, the Autonomous Administration Division, and the Social Welfare Division, along with five township mayors, are participating as members.
During the meeting, the council will share interim reports from research on project planning, including policy environment analysis, recipient estimates, and preliminary proposals. Discussions will also cover securing funding, establishing dedicated organizations, expanding consumer options in rural areas, and strategies for resident participation. The county plans to incorporate feedback into its proposal, with selection results expected to be announced next month.
Chairperson Jeong Yeong-mi stated, "The rural basic income initiative is a significant and complex task that requires collaboration across the entire county administration. We will develop a project plan with high feasibility through close cooperation among relevant departments."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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