President Lee Makes Surprise Weekend Trip to Gyeongbuk... "Inspect Rural Basic Income Program Implementation"

Visits Yeongyang and Cheongsong to hear views on basic income

President Lee Jaemyung visited Gyeongbuk on the 31st to inspect the implementation of the rural basic income pilot program. He made the trip over the weekend to personally review how the program, a key policy agenda of his administration, is being carried out on the ground.

President Lee Jaemyung speaks at the second plenary meeting of the National Life Safety Committee at the Blue House on Oct. 28, 2026. Yonhap News Agency

That day, President Lee posted on X (formerly Twitter) under the title "Weekend Visit," saying, "I have come to Gyeongbuk to inspect the implementation of the rural basic income program."

President Lee also recalled a song he sang in his hometown as a child and shared a warm greeting with local residents. After quoting part of the Gyeongbuk residents' song—"Along the winding bends of the Nakdong River, let us make our Gyeongbuk shine, the pride of Korea"—he reminisced, "It was a song I sang at the top of my voice as I walked along the dirt road hand in hand with my childhood friends." He added, "It is wonderful to meet the people of Gyeongbuk, and the residents of Yeongyang and Cheongsong."

The rural basic income program provides residents of rural areas facing the threat of depopulation due to population decline and aging with local love gift certificates worth 150,000 won each month. Its core aim is to stabilize residents' incomes while encouraging spending within the region, thereby helping restore local economies and communities.

The government launched the pilot program in February in 10 counties, including Yeongyang in Gyeongbuk. In June, it selected seven additional counties, including Cheongsong in Gyeongbuk, expanding the program to a total of 17 counties nationwide. The newly selected areas, including Cheongsong, began distributing the benefits in August.

Through this on-site inspection, President Lee plans to directly assess the policy's effects and identify problems with its implementation in areas where the pilot program is underway. As the government is seeking additional applications from regions wishing to participate in next year's pilot program, the findings from the inspection are expected to serve as an important reference for further expansion and improvements to the program.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.