From Introduction of Basic Housing to Securing Next Year's National Funding: Lee Jae-myung Requests Cooperation from People Power Party

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Park No-hun] Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung held the 'People Power Party-Gyeonggi Province Budget Policy Meeting' on the afternoon of the 6th at the National Assembly main building in Yeouido, Seoul, and requested National Assembly-level cooperation on the province's economic revitalization policies including the introduction of basic housing, basic loans, and basic income land tax.

At the meeting, Jo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, Lee Jong-bae, chairman of the Policy Committee, Choo Kyung-ho, vice chairman of the Policy Committee, and other key officials from the People Power Party's central leadership, as well as all seven National Assembly members from the People Power Party representing constituencies in Gyeonggi Province, attended and promised active cooperation including national funding support for major provincial projects.

Governor Lee Jae-myung said in his remarks that day, "Issues of regional and national development should be pursued by all regardless of political affiliation," and added, "While opinions may differ depending on perspective, I believe what we ultimately aim to achieve is not significantly different between the People Power Party's policies and the policies we are pursuing in Gyeonggi Province."

The governor then presented 'institutional improvements related to the introduction of basic housing in Gyeonggi Province,' 'easing interest burden on low-income lending,' and 'introduction of basic income land tax,' and requested active cooperation on these matters.

The governor stated, "Basic income has great economic effects in that it can increase disposable income to solve the consumption shortage problem in capitalist market economy and introduce regional currency that must be used, which can enforce virtuous circulation of the market," and added, "I heard that the People Power Party also accepts basic income as the first policy because of that point, so I hope it will be discussed in a way that is somewhat concretely implementable."

He continued, "Please also take interest in the supply of long-term rental housing to resolve the issue of real estate unearned income," and said, "Basic loans are not proposed to help the financially vulnerable, but as an economic policy proposed to solve the problem of monetary and fiscal policies not being properly effective."

The governor also stated, "You are very interested in balanced development in Gyeonggi Province, and currently the issue of handling returned and loaned land is stalled," and added, "Compared to the Seoul Yongsan base, government support for returned and loaned land in the northern region is very discriminatory, so I hope you would take interest in that issue as well."

In response, Jo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, said, "The agenda of Gyeonggi Province is significant enough to become the agenda of the Republic of Korea, so the status of Gyeonggi Province is very important," and continued, "The People Power Party is also taking deep interest and conducting research on the introduction of basic housing and basic income land tax systems that Gyeonggi Province is pursuing."

He added, "I hope this informal meeting becomes an opportunity to better understand the status of Gyeonggi Province's major policies and budget situation, and that even our small efforts will contribute to the development of Gyeonggi Province and the provincial administration."

Lee Jong-bae, chairman of the People Power Party's Policy Committee, stated, "Our party is taking interest in reducing commute times, improving transportation convenience, and balanced development among regions within Gyeonggi Province, and we are making efforts to improve the quality of life of residents through this," and said, "We will listen well to Gyeonggi Province's requests and actively reflect them in the budget plan, and will conduct thorough review of various pending issues."

Choo Kyung-ho, vice chairman of the People Power Party Policy Committee (standing member of the Budget and Accounts Committee), said, "I understand that Gyeonggi Province is leading the development of the Republic of Korea and achieving many accomplishments," and continued, "It seems that a lot of national funding support is needed. We will make great efforts to contribute to the development of Gyeonggi Province."

Choi Chun-sik, chairman of the People Power Party's Gyeonggi Province Chapter, said, "What I am most interested in is balanced development between the south and north of Gyeonggi Province, and when dealing with budgets, there are parts that are not going well," and added, "We will carefully review next year's budget and consult to ensure balanced development between the south and north of Gyeonggi Province."

Meanwhile, Gyeonggi Province's total target for securing national funding in 2021 is 16.3 trillion won, and Governor Lee proposed support for securing 8.1994 trillion won in national funding for 119 major projects out of this.

The major projects that the province proposed through written documents on that day are in 10 fields by standing committee: ▲(Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee) 60 projects including 601.3 billion won for double-track electrification of the Seohae Line (Hongseong~Songsan) ▲(Health and Welfare Committee) 18 projects including 116.2 billion won for operation support of facilities for persons with disabilities ▲(Environment and Labor Committee) 13 projects including 218.5 billion won for electric vehicle purchase support ▲(Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and Fisheries Committee) 9 projects including 24.8 billion won for Fishing Village New Deal 300 ▲(Administration and Security Committee) 6 projects including 79.6 billion won for support projects for areas surrounding U.S. military bases ▲(Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee) 5 projects including 65.2 billion won for support for construction of National Sports Centers ▲(Women and Family Committee) 3 projects including 5.8 billion won for operation of healthy family support centers ▲(Industry, Trade, SMEs and Startups Committee) 2 billion won for smart manufacturing innovation infrastructure ▲(Science, Technology, Information, Broadcasting and Communications Committee) 2.6 billion won for regional economy big data platform and center construction ▲(Diplomacy and Unification Committee) support projects for the U.S. military Good Neighbor Program including 300 million won and others.