Kim Dong-yeon: "Please Pay Special Attention to Price Stability, Livelihoods, and Vulnerable Groups Ahead of the Chuseok Holiday"

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Kim Dong-yeon, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, urged public officials to pay special attention to consumer prices, livelihood stabilization, and protection of vulnerable groups ahead of Chuseok (September 10).

On the 31st, Governor Kim reviewed sector-specific measures including emergency economy, vulnerable and marginalized groups, quarantine and emergency medical care, safety accidents, transportation, and convenience provision at the August open provincial government meeting held at the Gyeonggi Provincial Office under the theme of 'Emergency Economy-Focused Chuseok Comprehensive Measures.'

Governor Kim said, "Chuseok is just around the corner, and it seems many people are worried about the ceremonial table due to high prices. Please pay special attention to prices and firmly focus on livelihoods in preparation for the increasingly difficult economic situation ahead." He added, "Especially, as we experienced during the 'Suwon Three Mothers' case, I ask the provincial officials to wholeheartedly help the vulnerable groups this Chuseok."

Following Governor Kim’s instructions, the province will promptly execute 235.9 billion KRW across 15 projects in three sectors as part of the emergency economic special measures: ▲ 90.5 billion KRW for 9 projects supporting Gyeonggi Province’s credit recovery safety net ▲ 125.1 billion KRW for 2 projects stabilizing consumer and household prices ▲ 20.3 billion KRW for 4 projects stabilizing agricultural, fishery, and livestock prices and strengthening export companies’ competitiveness.

In the credit recovery safety net support sector, the projects include ▲ refinancing of high-interest loans and support for low-interest operating funds (71.5 billion KRW) ▲ refinancing support for small business owners (3.6 billion KRW) ▲ re-challenge hope special guarantee support (4.4 billion KRW) ▲ small loans support for debt adjustment and faithful repayment (2 billion KRW) ▲ support for enrollment in the Yellow Umbrella insurance for micro small business owners (2.4 billion KRW).

In the consumer and household price stabilization sector, the projects include local currency issuance support (101.7 billion KRW) and discounts on Gyeonggi rice and local food (23.4 billion KRW). The local currency issuance support project provides a 10% incentive when using local currency. The Gyeonggi rice and local food discount project offers 20-30% discount coupons up to 20,000 KRW per person when purchasing Gyeonggi agricultural and livestock products, including Gyeonggi rice, at marts, online malls, and local food direct stores.

In the agricultural, fishery, and livestock price stabilization and export company competitiveness enhancement sector, the projects include ▲ 80% support for fertilizer price increases (17.9 billion KRW) ▲ support for forage seed costs for livestock farms (120 million KRW) ▲ support for bee stocking costs for beekeepers affected by winter bee losses (1.8 billion KRW) ▲ short-term export insurance support (400 million KRW).

Additionally, as part of the Chuseok livelihood stabilization measures, the province will operate ▲ a comprehensive price countermeasures team and conduct on-site inspections by city and county price officers ▲ welfare visits and checks on vulnerable elderly using visits, phone calls, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices ▲ a COVID-19 response team and a 24-hour emergency medical system ▲ safety management inspections of multi-use facilities and fire-vulnerable facilities ▲ temporary increase of intercity buses and extended late-night airport bus operations.

The province will especially operate an emergency welfare-dedicated call center linked with the existing 120 Gyeonggi Province Call Center to prevent another 'Three Mothers' incident during the Chuseok holiday. Welfare and health public officials will be assigned to the call center to provide more professional consultations. Furthermore, the existing joint task force (TF) for discovering and supporting welfare blind spots will be expanded to include suicide prevention and public awareness campaigns for residents.

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