New Year's Address Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung: "Expanding 'Economic Basic Rights' to Prepare for the Future"

Esteemed residents of Gyeonggi Province, numbering 13.8 million,

A new year has dawned in the Year of the Ox. I hope that this year will be filled with happiness and prosperity in every household throughout the province.

The COVID-19 crisis that began around February of last year has continued for nearly a year. Through multiple crises, we have responded well and overcome them wisely. Despite numerous hardships, I express my deep gratitude to all citizens who actively cooperated with quarantine authorities' guidelines for the safety of families, neighbors, and communities. As Gyeonggi Province's quarantine officer, this appreciation comes from the heart.

The crisis is not yet over. This year, we must prevail in two major battles. First, we must focus on public health measures for the complete eradication of COVID-19, and second, we must thoroughly prepare for the era after COVID-19.

□ Expanding 'Economic Basic Rights' is the key to preparing for the future.

While Gyeonggi Province exerts all efforts to overcome the COVID-19 crisis, we will prepare ahead for a new era after COVID-19 and focus fully on economic governance for post-crisis reconstruction.

Just as the dawn breaks after the dead of night and warm spring follows the bitter cold of winter, the crisis we face now will surely end, and we will return to our daily lives.

However, it is widely predicted that the daily life we will face after COVID-19 will be different from before. Depending on how we prepare now, the future we face will be completely transformed.

The COVID-19 crisis has dealt severe damage to our economy. Consumption has sharply declined and jobs are in peril. The problem is that this phenomenon is not temporary. The era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, characterized by machines and artificial intelligence, will see an accelerating pace of job loss due to technological advances. In an era of unlimited supply, the diminished consumer capacity threatens the sustainability of the capitalist system.

Just as a house built on sand crumbles quickly, if we leave the structural environment rife with low growth and economic recession caused by inequality and imbalance unchanged, our future will be precarious.

There is an alternative. We must expand 'Economic Basic Rights' so that all members of the community can share in the social wealth that the entire community has created together, and everyone can enjoy a minimum standard of living befitting human dignity.

Universal basic income distributed without discrimination to all members, basic housing that transforms housing from a means of speculation into a foundation for living, and basic loans that help people escape the grip of usurious lending—these economic basic rights will become a new standard that protects our lives.

Contrary to some malicious misinterpretations, 'Economic Basic Rights' are the rights of sovereigns as specified in the Constitution and international treaties.

The Republic of Korea Constitution stipulates that the state must "maintain appropriate income distribution" and "prevent market domination and abuse of economic power" through "regulation and coordination of the economy for economic democratization." (Article 119, Section 2)

The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which became effective on July 10, 1990, also stipulates that "everyone has the right to an adequate standard of living for himself and his family, including adequate food, clothing and housing, and to the continuous improvement of living conditions," and that treaty states must take measures to realize these rights. (Article 11)

Through the efforts of countless citizens, we have been able to expand political and social basic rights. Now, building on these achievements, it is time to make concerted efforts to expand 'Economic Basic Rights' so that all can share in a minimum level of economic prosperity.

As we experience the COVID-19 crisis, the pace toward the future is accelerating further. While we hesitate, the future approaches us with each passing moment. To ensure the nation thrives, the economy prospers, and citizens live happily, I will do my utmost to create a society where everyone enjoys 'Economic Basic Rights' such as basic income, basic housing, and basic loans, enabling sustained economic growth.

□ I will remain steadfastly committed to creating a fair society.

Fairness is a value that must be constantly pursued.

A society where the powerless majority is not sacrificed for the interests of the powerful few; a society where following the rules does not result in loss and breaking the rules does not bring gain; a society where everyone enjoys equal opportunity and can reap the fruits of their efforts; a fair society where specific regions do not bear one-sided sacrifices for the whole—I will do my best this year to build such a society.

Efforts to advance a labor-respecting society cannot be neglected. I will expand the operation of labor safety guardians to ensure that workers are not killed or injured by industrial accidents in the workplace. I will support industrial accident insurance premiums for delivery workers and make greater efforts to improve the working conditions of vulnerable workers through improved rest facilities for cleaning and security workers and expanded rest areas for mobile workers.

□ I will do my utmost to expand welfare.

The more difficult and challenging times are, the deeper the shadows cast on those in vulnerable circumstances, like welfare blind spots. Welfare expansion is both sunshine illuminating socially vulnerable groups and an economic policy that invigorates a low-growth economy and promotes sustainable growth.

In addition to direct support such as emergency welfare assistance for residents facing crisis and temporary living support for low-income groups, I will carefully prepare a comprehensive approach covering economic and living areas, including rent support for small self-reliance enterprises and mask distribution programs for basic livelihood recipients and near-poor households.

Gyeonggi Province will continue to support the dreams and passion of young people in the new year. Youth basic income paid to 24-year-olds and youth job interview allowances for job-seeking youth will serve as stepping stones for our young people, driven into difficult circumstances by structural job loss, to dream of the future. Youth labor passports and youth welfare points will likewise help lighten the shoulders of our young people who work hard.

I will expand the elementary school dental care provider system. The free school uniform program for middle schools, high schools, and alternative schools will continue. I will firmly establish customized welfare programs by life cycle such as female teen hygiene product support projects and pay careful attention to stabilizing the lives and supporting self-reliance of vulnerable groups including the elderly and people with disabilities.

□ I will focus efforts on balanced development in northern and eastern Gyeonggi and peace settlement.

There should be no injustice among regions.

I will not cease efforts to provide special compensation to northern Gyeonggi, which has endured special sacrifices for the community under the guise of security for a long time.

Gyeonggi Province will consistently do its utmost to improve the lives of residents in northern Gyeonggi, including the construction of social infrastructure such as basic infrastructure in border areas.

Furthermore, I will continue efforts to ease security concerns threatening the lives of border residents and to establish peace on the Korean Peninsula. Peace on the Korean Peninsula, which has border areas, is directly linked to the survival rights of provincial residents. As the largest provincial government in the nation, Gyeonggi Province will take the lead in finding what it can do to untangle the knots between North and South.

Gyeonggi Province will discover South-North exchange and cooperation projects in areas closely connected to residents' lives, such as quarantine and healthcare, as well as response to disasters and emergencies, thereby opening a path toward peace on the Korean Peninsula. I will not stop efforts to expand consensus on peace through residents' participation and to transform the DMZ into a space and symbol of peace.

I will not forget compensation and consideration for eastern Gyeonggi, which has borne great sacrifices due to various regulations for water source protection.

While certain regulations necessary for the benefit of society as a whole are inevitable, extensive overlapping regulations block opportunities for regional development and cause great inconvenience to residents' lives.

I will carefully ensure that necessary regulations for the benefit of society are maintained while rationalizing unreasonable ones, promoting regional development and improving quality of life.

Esteemed residents of Gyeonggi Province,

Politics and administration must protect citizens' lives and safety and resolve the pressing issues of how all can make a living. This year, Gyeonggi Province will do its utmost to protect residents' lives from disasters and crises, revitalize the stagnant economy, and improve residents' quality of life.

In this process, there will be unforeseen obstacles. However, I firmly believe in the power of collective intelligence and will proceed with composure. I will fulfill my responsibilities and role to create a world where everyone is happy, exercising the authority entrusted by the sovereigns.

Throughout this year, I wish health and happiness to all residents of Gyeonggi Province. Happy New Year.

On the morning of the new year in the Year of the Ox

Governor of Gyeonggi Province Lee Jae-myung