Saving and Sharing Energy... Korea Energy Agency Strives to "Catch Two Rabbits"

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.

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Amid the rapidly increasing uncertainty in energy supply and demand due to the prolonged war in the Middle East and other factors, the Korea Energy Agency, led by President Jae Kwan Choi, is taking proactive steps to achieve both "energy conservation" and "warm welfare." The agency is encouraging voluntary energy savings among the public while also providing a robust support network for vulnerable groups suffering from high energy prices.

Since April 14, the agency has been conducting a relay campaign called "Today's Energy Savings Citizen Action" in cooperation with the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment and ten other related energy organizations. The campaign aims to promote twelve practical energy-saving behaviors, highlighting real-life examples that can be easily implemented in daily life.

Notably, participants in the campaign have reported positive changes. One office worker who used to commute 19 kilometers each way by car managed to save approximately 27,000 won per month on fuel costs by participating in the vehicle restriction system and carpooling. The time previously spent driving to work was repurposed for personal development, such as reading the news, improving their quality of life.

Through the "Top Efficiency Refund Program," a homemaker who replaced her refrigerator with a top-tier model (receiving a 10% refund on the purchase price) was able to reduce her monthly electricity bill by 4,000 won. Furthermore, by replacing all fluorescent lamps in her home with LED lights, she saved an additional 1,500 won per month, totaling a monthly fixed expense reduction of 5,000 won.

President Jae Kwan Choi emphasized, "Now is the time for everyone to join forces to protect our daily lives," and urged, "Please actively participate in using high-efficiency home appliances, switching to LED lighting, and joining public sector-led vehicle restriction programs." The agency plans to continue its diverse savings campaigns through social network services (SNS) and street campaigns in the future.

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.

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Welfare policies for vulnerable groups facing increased energy costs have been further strengthened. Recently, the agency signed a "Public-Private Partnership for Energy Welfare Support (Energy Welfare 4 You)" financial business agreement with the Korea Life Insurance Association, the General Insurance Association of Korea, and the National Association of Rooming House Counseling Centers. With a 100 million won donation from the life and non-life insurance associations, the program provides practical benefits to approximately 4,500 residents in ten rooming house communities nationwide. The support extends not only to existing energy voucher recipients but also to low-income individuals who previously fell outside the eligibility criteria, offering customized support for kerosene and LPG costs, electricity bills, and essential living supplies based on their residential conditions.

The agency has also expanded financial support for households using kerosene and LPG by allocating an additional 10.2 billion won from a supplementary budget. For about 200,000 households using kerosene and LPG-who face greater difficulties due to the absence of supplier welfare discounts-an additional 50,000 won has been loaded onto prepaid cards, on top of the original 147,000 won, making the funds immediately available for use.

The agency also demonstrates careful consideration for those with limited administrative accessibility. The "Home Visit (On) Service" delivers prepaid cards directly to the homes of vulnerable groups who have difficulty visiting administrative welfare centers due to age or disability. The energy voucher care service involves investigators visiting newly eligible large-family households that have not yet used their vouchers, identifying reasons for non-use, correcting errors in application information, and providing guidance on usage tailored to their living conditions.

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.

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

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