Eunmi Oh, Jeonbuk Provincial Council Member, Urges Supplementary Budget for Livelihood Stabilization

Calls for High Oil Price Compensation of 100,000 Won Per Resident

Eunmi Oh, a member of the Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province Council (representing Sunchang), addressed the deepening livelihood crisis caused by high oil prices and inflation, urging Jeonbuk Province to take a more proactive fiscal response.

Eunmi Oh, Member of the Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province Council

On April 22, during a five-minute speech at the 2nd plenary session of the 426th special meeting of the Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province Council, Oh described the current economic situation as an "economic disaster." She explained that, due to the impact of the war in Iran disrupting crude oil supply, the average gasoline price in the Jeonbuk region had nearly reached 1,995 won per liter as of April 20, warning that the pressure of rising oil prices is directly threatening residents' daily lives.

Oh stated, "The rise in oil prices is leading to an overall increase in prices, resulting in a decrease in real income and a greater burden on households." She added, "While it is positive that the government has established an emergency supplementary budget for people's livelihoods totaling 26.2 trillion won, both the political and administrative sectors of Jeonbuk remain passive in responding to the crisis, focusing instead on the governor election."

Oh further argued, "Through this supplementary budget, Jeonbuk is expected to receive approximately 417.9 billion won in general grants. Considering the available resources of the province and its cities and counties, the province can secure about 170 billion won, while the cities and counties could secure more than 300 billion won in surplus funds."

Accordingly, Oh proposed several urgent livelihood measures that Jeonbuk Province and its 14 cities and counties should implement immediately: providing high oil price compensation of 100,000 won per person for 1.7 million residents; offering energy subsidies to small business owners, the self-employed, and farmers and fishermen; granting public transportation use subsidies to residents; and establishing linked fuel tax subsidies for logistics and transportation workers.

Oh emphasized, "The fundamental role of politics and administration is to protect people's livelihoods. Responding only after livelihoods collapse is meaningless. Jeonbuk Province must take responsible action immediately."

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