Up to 6,604 KRW Monthly Discount on Electricity Bills for Vulnerable Households This Year... One-Year Extension of Price Increase Suspension

Lunar New Year Livelihood Stabilization Measures

Vulnerable groups will continue to receive discounts on their electricity bills of up to 6,604 KRW per household per month this year.

The government, in a joint announcement by related ministries, revealed the 'Seol Livelihood Stabilization Measures' containing these details on the 16th.

First, to minimize the energy cost burden for about 3.65 million vulnerable households, including people with disabilities, war veterans and independence activists, basic livelihood security recipients, and households with three or more children, the government decided to extend by one more year the suspension of the electricity rate increase that was deferred for one year last year.

As Korea Electric Power Corporation plans to actively discuss electricity rate hikes to resolve its deficit, an electric meter is installed in a commercial building in Seoul on the 7th. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

Additionally, according to the 'Winter Heating Cost Support Measures' established last November, during the winter season (~April), the unit prices for energy vouchers (average per household increased from 152,000 KRW to 304,000 KRW), kerosene vouchers (310,000 KRW to 641,000 KRW), and briquette coupons (472,000 KRW to 546,000 KRW) will be raised to provide greater support. Furthermore, gas and heating fee discounts of up to 592,000 KRW will be provided to all basic livelihood security recipients and near-poverty groups until March, and since December last year, social welfare facilities eligible for city gas fee discounts have included daycare centers.

Electricity and gas safety management for vulnerable facilities will also be strengthened. From the 22nd of this month to the 12th of next month, special safety inspections will be conducted targeting multi-use facilities such as traditional markets and terminals, as well as disaster-vulnerable facilities like nursing homes and senior centers. A 24-hour emergency response center will be operated to ensure thorough prevention of safety accidents and casualties.

Moreover, to provide consumers with accurate price information and promote price stability, related ministries and local governments plan to conduct inspections of price labeling systems by the 8th of next month, targeting retail stores, supermarkets, large-scale stores, convenience stores, and others.

An official from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy stated, "Since policies related to energy costs, safety accidents, and price management are closely connected to the daily lives of the people, we will closely cooperate with related ministries, local governments, and public institutions to carefully monitor the progress of these policies so that citizens can have a warmer and safer Seol holiday."

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