<기사>Presidential Office Doubles Energy Voucher and Gas Fee Support for Vulnerable Groups (Update)

Energy Voucher of 304,000 Won... Gas Bill Discount Up to 72,000 Won

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] The government is significantly expanding heating cost support for vulnerable groups during the winter season. It has decided to double the energy voucher support and the gas price discount provided by the Korea Gas Corporation. The government stated that although energy price normalization is inevitable due to difficult external conditions, it will make policy efforts to minimize the burden on the public.

Choi Sangmok, Chief Economic Secretary to the President, announced these support measures during a briefing at the Yongsan Presidential Office on the morning of the 26th, saying, "To expand heating cost support for vulnerable groups in winter, we have decided to significantly increase energy voucher support and gas price discounts."

First, to expand support for vulnerable groups, the energy voucher support amount will be doubled from 152,000 won to 304,000 won. The beneficiaries include 1,176,000 households among those receiving livelihood, medical, housing, education benefits, and basic living subsidies, particularly elderly patients and other heat- and cold-sensitive groups. The Korea Gas Corporation’s social consideration beneficiaries total 1.6 million households. The discount on gas fees they receive this year will be adjusted from the previous 9,000 won to 36,000 won range to 18,000 won to 72,000 won.

Chief Secretary Choi pointed to the sharp rise in international energy prices as the cause of increased heating costs. He explained, "Although there have been upward pressures over the past few years, we have suppressed rate increases," adding, "This is due to international natural gas prices soaring more than tenfold compared to the first quarter of 2021." However, he emphasized, "While energy price normalization due to external conditions is inevitable, we will make policy efforts to minimize the burden on the public," and regarding support for self-employed individuals and small businesses, he added, "We will review additional support targets after examining various factors."