Saving and Sharing Energy... Korea Energy Agency Strives for "Two Goals at Once"

On February 3rd, Jae-Kwan Choi, Chairman of the Korea Energy Agency (second from the right), handed over prepaid cards for expanded kerosene and LPG support to energy voucher beneficiary households, along with Lunar New Year supplies. Korea Energy Agency.

As uncertainty surrounding energy supply has rapidly increased due to the prolonged war in the Middle East, the Korea Energy Agency (Chairman Jae-Kwan Choi) is taking proactive steps to achieve both "energy conservation" and "warm welfare." The agency is encouraging voluntary energy-saving efforts among the public while also providing a reliable support network for vulnerable groups suffering from high energy prices.

"Energy Saving in Daily Life" with the Public

Since April 14, the agency, together with the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment and 10 related energy organizations, has been conducting a relay campaign called "Today's National Energy-Saving Actions." The campaign is designed to promote 12 easy-to-practice energy-saving actions, presenting them through real-life examples for greater accessibility.

The positive changes among participants in the campaign are also noteworthy. An office worker who used to commute 19 kilometers one way by car saved about 27,000 won per month in fuel costs by joining the five-day vehicle restriction system and carpooling. The time previously spent driving to work is now used for activities such as reading the news and self-development, thereby improving quality of life.

A homemaker who replaced her refrigerator with a first-grade model through the "Top Efficiency Rebate Program" (receiving a 10% rebate on the purchase price) reduced her monthly electricity bill by 4,000 won. By further replacing all fluorescent lights in her home with LED fixtures, she saved an additional 1,500 won per month, cutting a total of 5,000 won in fixed monthly expenses.

Chairman Jae-Kwan Choi emphasized, "Now is the time for everyone to come together to protect our daily lives," and added, "I urge everyone to actively participate in using high-efficiency home appliances, switching to LED lighting, and supporting the public sector’s leadership in the five-day car rotation system." The agency plans to continue promoting energy savings through various means, including social media and street campaigns.

On April 16, near Ulsan Station, officials from the Korea Energy Agency and the Korea Railroad Corporation are conducting an energy-saving street campaign. Korea Energy Agency.

"Customized Energy Welfare" Leaving No One Behind

The "Sharing (Welfare)" policy for vulnerable groups facing a greater energy cost burden has also been significantly strengthened. Recently, the agency signed a public-private partnership agreement with the Korea Life Insurance Association, the General Insurance Association of Korea, and the National Association of Doss House Counseling Centers for the "Energy Welfare 4 You" support program. Based on a 100 million won fund donated by the life and general insurance associations, the program will provide tangible benefits to approximately 4,500 residents of 10 doss house communities nationwide. The support will be customized to include not only existing energy voucher beneficiaries, but also low-income households previously excluded from eligibility, covering costs such as kerosene and LPG, electricity bills, and daily necessities tailored to their residential circumstances.

Additionally, the agency has expanded its support for households using kerosene and LPG by allocating an additional 10.2 billion won secured through a supplementary budget. For approximately 200,000 households using kerosene and LPG—who face greater challenges due to the lack of welfare discount systems from suppliers—an extra 50,000 won has been added to the existing prepaid cards (which previously contained 147,000 won), allowing immediate use.

The agency's careful attention to those with limited administrative access stands out as well. The "On-site (Warm) Service" delivers prepaid cards directly to the homes of vulnerable individuals, such as the elderly and disabled, who have difficulty visiting welfare centers. For the new group of multi-child households not yet using the energy voucher, a surveyor visits in person to identify the reasons, correct any application errors, and provide tailored instructions based on each family’s living situation.

On February 3rd, Jae-Kwan Choi, Chairman of Korea Energy Agency (left), handed over prepaid cards for expanded kerosene and LPG support to energy voucher beneficiary households and delivered Lunar New Year supplies. Korea Energy Agency.

Chairman Jae-Kwan Choi stated, "Reducing the energy burden on vulnerable groups in times of high prices goes beyond simple support; it is a matter of strengthening the social safety net," and added, "We will address blind spots through public-private cooperation and build a sustainable energy welfare system." Chairman Choi, who took office this January, graduated from Hakseong High School in Ulsan and the Department of Agricultural Biology at Seoul National University. He has served as a member of the Presidential Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Policy, head of the National Citizen-Led Renewable Energy Movement Headquarters, vice-chairman of the Carbon Neutrality Committee of the Democratic Party of Korea, and head of the National Sun Dividend Network.

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