▲ Gyeonggi Provincial Government and Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly
Out of 31 cities and counties in Gyeonggi Province, Seongnam, Dongducheon, and Yeoncheon are expected not to participate in next year's Youth Basic Income program.
The Youth Basic Income is a welfare policy that provides 1 million won per year (250,000 won per quarter) in local currency to 24-year-olds regardless of their income level. It was introduced in 2019 by then-Gyeonggi Governor Lee Jae-myung.
According to Gyeonggi Province on November 2, following a demand survey and opinion poll regarding next year's program, Seongnam decided not to participate citing "mismatch with policy objectives," while Dongducheon and Yeoncheon cited "financial burdens."
In the case of Seongnam, although the city council passed the relevant ordinance, the city executive branch requested a reconsideration. It was voted down during the re-vote on October 30, resulting in the scrapping of the ordinance.
On the other hand, Goyang, which also did not participate this year alongside Seongnam, decided to join next year after the head of the local government changed from the People Power Party to the Democratic Party of Korea.
Gyeonggi Province, suffering from financial difficulties, decided to lower its subsidy share for the Youth Basic Income program from 70 percent this year to 30 percent next year, and conducted a demand survey of cities and counties.
Consequently, the share borne by cities and counties will increase from 30 percent to 70 percent.
The target for support next year consists of approximately 115,300 24-year-olds across 28 cities and counties. Due to the adjustment of the sharing ratios and other factors, the budget to be covered by Gyeonggi Province will decrease from 78.3 billion won this year to 34.6 billion won next year.
An official from Gyeonggi Province said, "If the three cities and counties that expressed their intention not to participate change their stance, we plan to provide provincial funding belatedly just like other cities and counties."
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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