Blog Post Title: The Debate on Basic Income vs. Targeted Support: Insights from Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon
In a noteworthy turn of events, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, who once opposed free school meals calling them “excessive welfare” in 2011, reiterated his stance against basic income during a recent parliamentary session. Expressing his belief that basic income is overly simplistic, he emphasized the importance of targeted support for those in need.
Mayor Oh’s stance puts him in direct opposition to Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung, who has advocated for a universal basic income of 1 million won per month for all citizens. Mayor Oh raised concerns about the cost and effectiveness of such a blanket approach, suggesting that it may not efficiently target those most in need.
Instead, Mayor Oh highlighted Seoul’s pilot program, known as ‘Didimdol Income,’ which provides varying levels of support based on individual income levels. This targeted approach aims to provide effective assistance to those facing economic hardship, a strategy that has garnered support even from left-leaning economists.
The debate between universal basic income and targeted support illustrates a nuanced approach to social welfare, emphasizing the importance of effective and efficient assistance for those most in need.
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