As Korea heads into an early presidential election, populist pledges such as universal basic income, a shortened workweek, and massive AI
investments are being questioned. In Sisa Journal, Professor Emeritus (Konkuk University) and ICePP Visiting Scholar Wonshik Kim critiques these vote-seeking promises and calls for fiscally responsible, future-oriented policymaking.
Kim warns that unrealistic pledges, like a 35 trillion won supplementary budget or competing AI megaprojects, threaten to burden future generations and distort the market economy. He emphasizes the importance of excluding “not-to-do pledges,” such as those that increase mandatory spending, shrink the private sector, restrict corporate activity, or sacrifice youth interests in favor of short-term political gains.
Read the full article (in Korean) here.