Seongnam city is considering implementing a ‘Youth Dividend’, based on the idea of a basic income. If it happens, it will be the first case in Korea.

The city(성남시 城南市)is located about 20 km south from the centre of Seoul, and has a population of around 980,000 in its 142 square kilometers of land.

The mayor, Lee Jae-myeong (이재명) has been keen for poverty reduction. With his initiative, the city considers an introduction of a ‘Youth Dividend’. Although the idea is inspired by a universal and unconditional basic income, the detail of a ‘Youth Dividend’ is not decided yet. The city commissioned to an external agency for research on feasibility of implementation of it last June.

*This news is written based on the following news and information from some Korean Friends including Smila Youhyung Park (스밀라): https://www.yonhapnews.co.kr/bulletin/2015/06/19/0200000000AKR20150619178800061.HTML

The image of map is from https://www.seongnam.go.kr/EN/