A Friend of BIEN becomes the President of South Korea

A Friend of BIEN becomes the President of South Korea

by , | Jul 3, 2025 | News

(photo taken at the BIEN Congress 2023 in Seoul, South Korea) 

Something historical is happening in South Korea now. For Koreans of course, but equally importantly, for the global basic income movement. Lee Jae Myung who was voted to power as the President of South Korea in the first week of June 2025 has been an ardent supporter of Basic Income and has attended and addressed several of BIEN Congresses and conferences. Basic Income Korean Network (BIKN) has been working closely with him ever since he has been the Mayor of Seongnam city where he introduced the ‘Youth Dividend’ – unconditional cash given to everyone in a specific age group – 18 to 21. Subsequently as the Governor of Gyeonggi province, he introduced several basic-income-like schemes and experiments.

Hyosang Ahn, the President of Basic Income Korea Network reflects on the prospects of basic income implementation in South Korea in the coming years.

In his reflection, Hyosang mentions Lee Jae Myung’s vision of a ‘Basic Society’ which was his 2025 election manifesto. We are attaching that document as well for your reference.

Will this be a turning point in the basic income movement in Korea? What will be the ripple effects of this development on the rest of the world? Only time will tell. 

In the meantime, we as a basic income community stand by BIKN in their efforts to realise our collective vision of building a basic income society.

We congratulate President Lee Jae Myung and wish him well whole heartedly and extend our support to his efforts in making Korean society a role model for the rest of the world.

Below: An Open Letter from Basic Income Korean Network. Also included: an English translation and original Korean copy of Lee Jae Myung’s Vision for a Basic Society:

South Korea BIKN Report June 2025Download
N.Y.C. Mayor Candidate Pitches Largest Guaranteed Income Program in U.S.

N.Y.C. Mayor Candidate Pitches Largest Guaranteed Income Program in U.S.

by | Jun 20, 2025 | News

“Adrienne Adams, the New York City Council speaker who is running for mayor, proposed on Monday a guaranteed basic income program that would be the largest of its kind in the United States.

It would aim to help more than 21,000 homeless children and young adults.

The idea of giving families monthly checks — with no strings attached — took off across the nation during the pandemic after many people lost their jobs. Ms. Adams’s plan is her top campaign proposal as she tries to stand out from a crowded field of Democrats running in the June primary as the best alternative to former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, who leads in polls.

As Council speaker, Ms. Adams helped fund a guaranteed income program for 161 pregnant women.”

To read the full article, click here.

Spain’s Minimum Basic Income has reached more than 1 million households and benefited more than 3 million people since its adoption 5 years ago

Spain’s Minimum Basic Income has reached more than 1 million households and benefited more than 3 million people since its adoption 5 years ago

by | Jun 20, 2025 | News

“The Minimum Basic Income has reached more than one million households (1,010,565) since its launch in June 2020, at the height of the COVID pandemic. The number of protected beneficiaries since then has now since exceeded 3 million people (3,008,318), of whom 1.3 million are children and adolescents, 43.4% of the total.

Since this policy came into force, the Social Security has allocated 14.938 billion euros to paying this benefit.

“The Minimum Basic Income was designed as a policy aimed at preventing the risk of poverty and social exclusion of people living alone or as part of a household who lack basic economic resources”, explains minister Elma Saiz. “More work needs to be done, but having helped 3 million people, more than a third of whom are children, is a big step forward”.

To read the full article, ckick here.

Cook County to expand guaranteed income after end of taxpayer-funded pilot

Cook County to expand guaranteed income after end of taxpayer-funded pilot

by | Jun 20, 2025 | News

“Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announced the formation of a committee to guide the next phase of guaranteed income after saying the county’s pilot program was successful.

Preckwinkle said Tuesday that she remains as committed to guaranteed income as she was at the outset of the pilot.

“Cook County is proud to be part of a national movement advocating for a guaranteed income through action, research and the voices of our residents. We are laying the groundwork not just for what’s next here in Cook County but what’s possible in our country,” Preckwinkle said.”

To read the article, ckick here.

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