"Heating Cost Bomb" Lee Chang-yang Visits Nursing Home... "Expanding Support for Vulnerable Groups"

[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Lee Jun-hyung] The government is expanding support for vulnerable groups hit by the 'heating cost bomb.' The government plans to prepare additional support measures in the event of future gas price increases.

On the morning of the 29th, Lee Chang-yang, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, visited Jeongneung Senior Care Center in Seoul to listen to heating-related difficulties and made these remarks. The director of Jeongneung Senior Care Center said, "As a social welfare facility, we request the government's continuous attention and support so that heating can be provided without worrying about costs during the winter." In response, Minister Lee said, "We fully understand the concerns of social welfare facilities such as care centers," adding, "We plan to expand support to protect vulnerable groups struggling with heating costs during the winter season."

Minister Lee emphasized that the government has significantly increased the winter energy voucher budget. The energy voucher program supports heating and cooling costs and electricity bills for vulnerable groups such as households receiving livelihood and medical benefits. Earlier, on the 26th, the government raised the winter energy voucher support amount to 304,000 won, approximately 2.6 times higher than last winter's amount of 118,000 won.

Heating cost measures for energy-vulnerable groups do not stop there. The government also tripled the gas bill discount for vulnerable groups from 6,000?24,000 won last year to 18,000?72,000 won this year. Additionally, social welfare facilities are charged the lowest residential gas rates. This is why social welfare facilities such as Jeongneung Senior Care Center receive an average discount of 42% on their gas bills.

Minister Lee stated, "Considering the concentrated heating demand during winter, the government froze gas prices in the first quarter of this year," and added, "If gas prices inevitably increase in the future, we plan to consult with related ministries to prepare additional support measures to strongly protect energy-vulnerable groups."

Snow Accumulated on Gas Meter
(Seoul=Yonhap News) Photo by Park Dong-joo = On the 26th, snow accumulated on a gas meter in the shantytown of Dongja-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul.
The government has decided to expand energy voucher support and gas fee discounts to reduce the burden on vulnerable groups caused by the "heating cost bomb." 2023.1.26
pdj6635@yna.co.kr
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