Song Mi-ryung, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, visited Gurye County in South Jeolla Province, a pilot area for the rural basic income program, to assess the project's progress and examine local economic connections. Gurye County is linking basic income to the consumption of locally produced domestic wheat products, establishing a production, distribution, and consumption ecosystem.
On September 30, Song held a field meeting in Gurye to discuss the status of the rural basic income pilot program and gather feedback on changes in the community since its implementation. Gurye was selected in June as one of seven counties in a recent application round and has been providing a monthly basic income of 200,000 won to over 24,000 residents since August 28. This amount includes a government base of 150,000 won plus an additional 50,000 won from Gurye County.
During the meeting, residents expressed the need to expand the range of spending options in rural areas. The Ministry of Agriculture revised the program guidelines on September 22, allowing for exceptions in spending limits for up to two out of five designated categories, such as laundromats, in areas with separate living zones.
Additionally, the list of eligible spending categories now includes gas stations, convenience stores, and local markets, with taxis added to the list of businesses where residents can use their basic income. This change enables rural residents to use their basic income for taxi services in urban areas. The ministry aims to enhance the program while maintaining its original intent.
Following the meeting, Song visited the Gurye Store, operated by the Gurye 1963 Cooperative, a community-led social solidarity economic organization. The store features local products made from domestic wheat, crafts, and a café, with a total of 13 locations accepting basic income.
On September 11, a free market was held under the cooperative's initiative, providing a space for local entrepreneurs to showcase their products and interact with residents, tourists, and external creators, thereby linking basic income to the local economy.
Song also visited a domestic wheat processing plant that mills and produces products from locally grown wheat. Established in June 1993, this facility is the first of its kind in South Korea and is operated by the Gurye Wheat Farming Association. It generates an annual revenue of 3.8 billion won and produces 1,800 tons of grain products, including flour, noodles, and bread, using 100% domestically sourced wheat.
Some of the flour produced is supplied to local bakeries and restaurants, which use it to create domestic wheat bread sold at the Gurye Store, illustrating a structure where locally produced goods are consumed within the community.
Song expressed gratitude for the active efforts of Gurye County and its residents in successfully implementing the rural basic income pilot program, stating, "Gurye County is a model case for building a domestic wheat ecosystem through community governance." She added, "The government will actively support the efforts of the community to ensure that the fruits of these initiatives can be expanded and sustained through basic income."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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