A universal basic income (UBI) of more than $400 a month is moving closer to reality for South Koreans as leading presidential candidates vow to unleash radical policies to combat worsening inequality.
The UBI — a government programme whereby the state unconditionally pays everyone a monthly sum — is viewed by some economists as a fix to entrenched poverty and by libertarians as a way to demolish bloated bureaucracies. But critics believe the policy is impractical and unaffordable.
Lee Jae-myung, who won the ruling party’s primary race this weekend, has vowed to progressively roll out the policy over his five-year term if he wins the presidential election in March, potentially making the Asian nation the first country to adopt a national UBI.