Jeolla provinces ideal for 'basic society' realization: official

A senior government official has suggested that the Jeolla provinces, particularly the Gwangju and Jeonnam regions, are the most suitable areas in South Korea to implement a "basic society." Kang Nam-hoon, vice chairman of the Presidential Committee on Basic Society, stated that the regions' historical experience with the May 18th democratization movement makes them ideal for fostering such a society.

Kang made these remarks at a meeting with newly elected local officials from Gwangju and Jeonnam to discuss policies for basic income and basic healthcare in rural areas. He explained that a "basic society" aims to provide essential services like income and healthcare to all citizens. The initial funding for these initiatives would come from revenues generated by shared resources, such as solar and wind power.

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Jeonnam and Gwangju, which experienced the 5.18 democratization movement, are the optimal location for realizing a basic society.

He further elaborated on the funding model, suggesting that as more citizens embrace and agree with the concept, a stable foundation could be built through public discourse and tax increases. Kang also proposed adjusting income taxes based on changes in the Gini coefficient (a measure of income inequality) to maintain a certain level of equality. He stressed the need to strengthen property ownership taxes to levels seen in developed countries to curb real estate speculation.

Kang pointed to the region's potential to lead in establishing a basic society, citing its selection of four counties (Shinan, Gokseong, Gurye, Boseong) as pilot areas for rural basic income, the highest number among all provincial governments. Additionally, Jeonnam has the most applications, with 30 villages, for the "sunshine and wind income village" program. He believes that regions with a strong sense of shared resources, like Gwangju and Jeonnam, which have historically faced oppression, are now poised to thrive in an era where such consciousness leads to prosperity.

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The property ownership tax must be strengthened to the level of developed countries to curb real estate speculation.