Muju County in North Jeolla Province will become the first county-level local government in South Korea to implement a universal basic income pilot program.
The county announced Thursday it will provide 800,000 won ($550) annually to each resident using its own budget. All residents registered in Muju before Feb. 2 are eligible regardless of income or asset levels.
The payments will be distributed as Muju Sarang vouchers, a local currency usable only within the county. Current residents can apply at their local administrative welfare centers by March 6, with payments scheduled for mid-March after residency verification. New residents who moved in after Feb. 3 may apply 30 days after registration and will receive payments following a 90-day residency confirmation period.
While several local governments in South Korea have implemented cash-like basic income programs, Muju's approach differs significantly. Gyeonggi Province has operated a youth basic income program since 2019, providing 1 million won annually to 24-year-olds, but it targets only a specific age group. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs also launched a rural basic income pilot this year in 10 counties, paying 150,000 won monthly per resident, but that program uses combined national and local funding.
Muju County's program is unprecedented among county-level governments as it relies entirely on local funds without central government support and covers all residents regardless of age or income.
"This is Muju County's challenge in response to regional depopulation," said Oh Hae-dong, director of planning and coordination at Muju County Office. "It will provide practical help to residents' lives and serve as a catalyst to revitalize the local economy."
The county spent four months preparing the program, following guidelines from the agriculture ministry's rural basic income pilot. The process included resident surveys, consultations with the Basic Income Committee and county council, and coordination with the Ministry of Health and Welfare on establishing a new social security system.
