Mokpo Mayor Park Hong-ryul Communicates On-Site with Fishermen Suffering from Fuel Cost Increases

[Mokpo=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Jeong Hyeong-seok] On the 2nd, Park Hong-ryul, mayor of Mokpo City, communicated with representatives of fishermen's organizations regarding the 'Support for Increased Amount of Duty-Free Fuel for Fisheries.'

Due to the surge in fuel costs such as gasoline and diesel caused by the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which has become a significant burden on fishery management, the city has prepared a budget of 1.525 billion KRW (610 million KRW from the provincial government, 915 million KRW from the city government) to provide a fixed support amounting to 50% of the increase in duty-free fuel prices compared to the beginning of the year as a countermeasure.

The support targets include 631 vessels that applied for duty-free support out of 1,040 registered vessels such as nearshore anchovy net fishing vessels preparing to depart in August, nearshore fishing vessels, aquaculture management vessels, aquaculture farms, and aquatic seed producers who have Mokpo City residency and have been issued duty-free fuel cards within the jurisdiction.

The duty-free fuel support period covers fuel used from March to October (8 months), with a fixed support amount of 85 KRW per liter increase for diesel (excluding national subsidies) and 200 KRW for gasoline and heavy oil.

Fishermen are expected to benefit from about a 10% reduction in purchase costs by receiving support for eight months' worth of duty-free fuel.

Mayor Park Hong-ryul of Mokpo City said, "I hope the duty-free fuel support project will help fishermen who are struggling due to rising fuel costs," and added, "We will continue to conduct close communication administration reflecting the voices from the field."