[Exclusive] Basic Income Removed from People's Power Platform, Deferred Until After Presidential Election

[Financial News] The People's Power has decided to postpone the deletion of the 'Basic Income' phrase specified in Article 1, Clause 1 of the platform and policy until after the 6·3 presidential election. Although it was actively considering deleting 'Basic Income' before the presidential election, it was confirmed that the related amendment was not submitted to the National Committee meeting scheduled for the 31st. 'Basic Income' is a core pledge concept of Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party's presidential candidate, and was intended to be quickly deleted due to its significant divergence from the party's identity, but it was deferred until after the presidential election due to the final election schedule. However, the amendment of the party constitution and regulations for the 'separation of party and presidential office', promised by People's Power presidential candidate Kim Moon-soo in the TV debate, will be prioritized.
According to the political circle on the 29th, the People's Power has postponed the revision of the platform and policy to delete the 'Basic Income' concept until after the presidential election (June 3). This is due to the physical limitation of initiating the revision with only five days left until the main voting day. Currently, Article 1 of the People's Power's basic policy 'A Country of Open Opportunities for All' states, 'The state actively supports individuals to lead stable and free lives through basic income to prepare for the era of the 4th Industrial Revolution.' This clause was promoted by the Emergency Response Committee of the Future Integration Party (predecessor of the People's Power) in 2020.
This platform and policy controversy arose during the first TV debate of presidential candidates held on the 18th. Lee Jun-seok, the Reform New Party candidate and former representative of the People's Power, pointed out to candidate Kim, "The People's Power platform and policy include 'implementing basic income', will you change your stance at the party level?" Candidate Kim replied, "I didn't know," and "the concept of basic income itself is actually not right."
Subsequently, it is known that the People's Power immediately began revising the platform and policy to exclude the 'Basic Income' phrase. This is because it is similar to Lee Jae-myung's core pledge and does not align with the 'identity' of the conservative party, the People's Power. 
However, at the People's Power Emergency Response Committee meeting held on the 27th, only the amendment containing the principles of 'separation of party and president' and 'non-use of factions' in the party constitution and regulations was approved. The amendment was approved at the Standing National Committee meeting held on the 28th, and only the approval of the National Committee meeting on the 31st remains.
A key official of the People's Power said, "Since it is the election phase, what candidate Kim promised was handled first," and "(the revision of the basic income clause) will be done after the election." The explanation is that they will proceed after collecting internal opinions through a general assembly after the presidential election. Some are also considering replacing the 'Basic Income' phrase with another term. Another key official said, "It's not about deleting the expression 'Basic Income (Society)', but changing the expression," and "it's not clear whether to maintain the expression 'basic'." This will also be pursued after collecting opinions through a general assembly after the election. A source within the party said, "We are considering a comprehensive concept that can encompass the party's identity, direction, and orientation." 
However, even if they come to power, they must set the basic framework for state administration, such as restoring people's livelihoods and setting core national tasks, and if they lose, they may be embroiled in severe internal strife over election defeat responsibility and the next party leadership competition, so it may inevitably be pushed back in priority. In this regard, a party official said, "Since the candidate made a promise, it cannot be left unresolved just because the election is over," and "we will try to keep it even after the election."

haeram@fnnews.com Lee Haeram Reporter