Prime Minister Kim Min-seok visited Namhae County to review the rural basic income pilot project, noting its positive impact on the local economy and population inflow. He emphasized its potential to revitalize rural areas and curb Seoul's overheating.
AI firm Anthropic commits $200 million to research AI's labor market impact and economic effects, proposing policies like UBI funded by AI taxes. CEO Dario Amodei warns of disruption exceeding past tech shifts.
Hwacheon County in Gangwon Province has been selected as one of seven pilot areas nationwide for the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs' rural basic income program. Residents will receive 150,000 KRW in local currency monthly from August to December next year.
Gurye Mayor-elect Jang Gil-sun pledged to realize his first campaign promise of a 300,000 won monthly basic income for all residents, aiming to boost the local economy and improve quality of life.
Lee Won-taek, a candidate for governor of Jeonbuk Province for the Democratic Party, pledged to expand the rural basic income program to all 'myeon' (township) areas in the province's cities and counties experiencing population decline. The current pilot program in Sunchang and Jangsu counties would be extended to the remaining 12 cities and counties.
Jeonbuk Province reported a 1,541-person population increase in Jangsu and Sunchang counties over four months due to a basic income pilot program. Over 25.9 billion won was distributed, with 63% spent locally, boosting businesses like restaurants and marts.
Elon Musk reignited debate on universal basic income, proposing it as a solution to AI-driven job losses. He envisions a future of extreme abundance where AI and robotics will generate vast goods and services, making even luxuries like penthouses widely accessible without inflation. Musk previously predicted no poverty, only universal high income.
