Lee Kijae, Yangcheon District Mayor Candidate, Expands Support for Airport Noise Control Areas Including Electricity Bill Aid

Additional Electricity Bill Support and Reduction of Standard Property Tax Proposed

Lee Kijae, the People's Power Party candidate for Yangcheon District Mayor, announced on May 18 expanded direct support measures for residents in airport noise control areas. The proposed measures include increasing the current electricity bill subsidy from four months to a total of five months, and pursuing up to a 60% reduction in the standard property tax portion as well.

Candidate Lee Kijae for Yangcheon District Mayor greets in the morning at Sinwol Intersection, an airport noise countermeasure zone. Provided by the campaign office.

Candidate Lee stated, "Since 2022, a bill to revise laws for electricity bill and air conditioner cash support—discussed with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport—was sponsored by the local National Assembly member, but it has not been processed for three years." He continued, "We can no longer ignore the reality where residents cannot freely use air conditioners during the hot summer months due to the burden of electricity costs." He added, "Until the bill is passed in the National Assembly, Yangcheon District will take the lead by providing an additional month's worth of electricity bill support."

So far, Yangcheon District has provided up to a 60% reduction in the local property tax for residents of airport noise control areas. This time, Lee plans to push for an extension of up to a 60% reduction in the standard property tax as well.

Lee also pointed out the issue of aging air conditioners. He noted that many of the air conditioners installed in airport noise control areas have been in use for over ten years and have not been properly replaced or repaired. Considering this, he announced plans for Yangcheon District to take initial action to address this, and then seek reimbursement from Korea Airports Corporation for the incurred costs. There are also ongoing efforts to shorten the late-night flight hours at Gimpo Airport by moving the closing time from the current 11 p.m. to 10 p.m., while maintaining the 6 a.m. opening time.

Lee's campaign highlighted past activities such as providing up to a 60% reduction in local property tax for residents in airport noise control areas, expanding eligibility for detailed hearing examinations, supporting the purchase of hearing aids for residents, offering professional psychological counseling services, subsidizing Gimpo Airport usage fees, establishing a comprehensive Airport Noise Countermeasure Support Center, and building Yangcheon District's own airport noise monitoring system.

Lee emphasized, "It is the government's and the airport operator's responsibility to provide real compensation to residents who are adversely affected by Gimpo Airport operations." He continued, "However, considering the residents who are suffering right now, we cannot simply wait. Yangcheon District will be the first to empathize deeply with the residents' pain and provide comfort." He added, "Rather than waiting with our arms folded after requesting support, Yangcheon District will take the initiative in finding solutions and ensure that government agencies and related institutions provide responsible support."

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