Lee Jae-myung, a candidate in the Democratic Party of Korea presidential primary, said on the 25th, "I think it would be better to introduce a universal system as much as possible, but if someone is receiving unnecessary support, they should return it through taxes."

Kim Kyeong-soo (from the left), Lee Jae-myung, and Kim Dong-yeon, candidates for the Democratic Party of Korea presidential primary, are taking a commemorative photo before the Democratic Party of Korea 21st presidential election primary candidates' TV debate held at TBN Chosun studio in Jung-gu, Seoul on May 25. /Courtesy of News1

The candidate noted at the Democratic Party of Korea presidential primary candidates' debate organized by TV Chosun that the promise of candidate Kim Kyeong-soo to guarantee a "minimum income at the 40% level of the median income among all citizens" is "a good idea," but added, "It's broad, yet a kind of selective welfare system."

The candidate said, "Our country is said to be one of the top 10 economies, but is it reasonable that the elderly poverty rate is high enough for people to make extreme choices?" and noted, "The issue is obtaining financial resources and national consensus."

He further elaborated, "The trap with selective welfare systems is that taxpayers might become dissatisfied, asking, 'Why are only others benefitting from the taxes I pay?'" and stated, "(Selective welfare) does not actually contribute to increasing the total amount, according to research findings."

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