President Lee Visits Cheongsong and Yeongyang on October 31
Both Counties Add Local Funds to Pay 200,000 Won Per Person Monthly
Presidential Office Explains Increase in Population and Commercial Sales Following Selection
Fiscal Sustainability and Youth Settlement Infrastructure Remain Challenges
President Lee Jae-myung visited Cheongsong-gun and Yeongyang-gun in Gyeongsangbuk-do consecutively on October 31 to inspect the implementation of the rural basic income program and listen to the opinions of residents and small business owners. In both regions, where 200,000 won per person is paid monthly in local love gift certificates, the tangible effects of the policy and the burden on local finances were discussed together.
According to the Presidential Office, Cheongsong-gun and Yeongyang-gun were selected as rural basic income pilot regions in June 2026 and October 2025, respectively, and are paying 200,000 won per month by supplementing their own county budgets. President Lee toured shops near Cheongsong Jinbo Traditional Market, held a meeting with residents and merchants, and then visited the mobile market and village hall in Yeongyang Yeondang 1-ri.
The Presidential Office explained that after the two regions were selected as pilot areas, their populations increased by more than 5% and commercial sales also grew. The Mayor of Cheongsong stated that the population increased by 1,500 people within two to three months of the basic income implementation, and attendees at the Cheongsong meeting voiced opinions on easing the local fiscal burden and expanding the project. President Lee expressed his intention to pay closer attention to finances for stable implementation.
It is difficult to conclude the causal effect of the basic income based solely on changes in population and sales. To sustain the policy, the burden-sharing structure between national and local funds as well as long-term financial resources must be transparently reviewed, and infrastructure such as jobs and housing must also be examined so that young people can truly settle in the region.