[On-site Video] "I'm Afraid to Grocery Shop" When Will the 'Shopping Basket Prices' Stabilize?

[Asia Economy Reporters Seunggon Han, PD Jingeun Yoon] "I'm afraid to go grocery shopping," "It's too expensive."

The so-called 'table price' continues to rise. According to the Agricultural Products Distribution Information (KAMIS) from Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT), as of the 11th, the retail price of 1kg of spinach was 23,326 KRW, an increase of 67.9% compared to the same period last year (13,891 KRW).

Dried chili peppers (hwageon) 600g cost 20,028 KRW, up 47.7% from 13,540 KRW in the same period last year. In addition, the avian influenza (AI) situation has continued for a year, causing chicken and egg prices to soar significantly.

According to the July Consumer Price Trends by Statistics Korea, the consumer price index in July was 107.61, marking a 2% increase for four consecutive months. By category, eggs surged 57.0% year-on-year, while pork (9.9%) and beef (7.7%) prices also rose.

Citizens expressed reluctance. On the 12th, a 20-year-old office worker A, met near Samgak-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, said, "I went grocery shopping with my mother at Nonghyup, and I remember the egg prices going up," lamenting. He added, "Egg prices rose so much that I was afraid to eat them. Spinach prices also increased a lot," and said, "I hope the government can reduce the rate of price increases."

A 30-year-old office worker B said, "Prices have also risen a lot in online stores," adding, "Since delivery fees have also increased, the burden of delivery fees comes along, so I'm afraid to go grocery shopping."

Another office worker C said, "It seems that prices of processed foods like ramen and instant rice have also risen a lot," and lamented, "I can't avoid buying things I eat in daily life, so I just buy them even though they are expensive."

Meanwhile, the government is making every effort to 'control prices.' President Moon Jae-in, while receiving a report on the economic policy direction for the second half of the year on the 22nd of last month, reportedly instructed, "Managing the annual inflation rate at around 1.8% is important, but the prices during Chuseok are very important," and said, "From now until Chuseok, carefully plan and monitor measures in advance."

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Hong Nam-ki also emphasized on the 5th of last month the "preemptive preparation of measures to stabilize living prices for Chuseok," stating, "Regarding Chuseok living prices, we will not wait until the Chuseok period approaches but will prepare and implement stabilization measures from now."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.