Yoon Approves 100 Billion Won Contingency Fund... "Actively Considering Heating Cost Measures for Middle Class and Low-Income Households"

Emergency Injection of 180 Billion KRW for Heating Cost Support
Deputy Minister Meeting Procedure Skipped Before Cabinet Meeting for Urgent Support

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] President Yoon Seok-yeol immediately approved the expenditure of 100 billion won in contingency funds, which was resolved at the Cabinet meeting on the 30th to support heating costs for vulnerable groups.

With President Yoon's prompt approval of the contingency fund expenditure, the government will urgently inject a total of 180 billion won to support heating costs.

Kim Eun-hye, Chief of Public Relations, stated at a briefing held at the Yongsan Presidential Office in the afternoon, "This approval was swiftly granted to ease the burden on vulnerable groups and citizens suffering from an unprecedented cold wave, even if only slightly."

The Presidential Office explained that President Yoon boldly omitted related procedures to expedite the execution of heating cost support. Chief Kim said, "The Cabinet meeting was originally scheduled for tomorrow (the 31st) but was held a day earlier. At 8:30 a.m., the contingency fund expenditure agenda was reviewed and approved at the Cabinet meeting presided over by the Prime Minister, and President Yoon gave his approval around 1:30 p.m."

Typically, contingency fund review agendas go through a vice-ministerial meeting a week before the Cabinet meeting before being submitted, but this time it was omitted and handled as an urgent submission. President Yoon's approval is usually given on the evening of the Cabinet meeting day or the following morning, but this time it was granted immediately after the Cabinet meeting.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Chief Kim explained that the decision to double the energy voucher support amount for approximately 1.18 million vulnerable households was made swiftly.

At the Presidential Senior Secretary meeting held that morning, President Yoon instructed, "Actively consider measures to reduce heating cost burdens for the middle class and low-income citizens," and "Ensure that related ministries thoroughly guide so that those in need do not miss out on gas cost support due to lack of information."

Meanwhile, regarding Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, repeatedly urging President Yoon for a meeting by saying "Call me to Yongsan," a senior official at the Presidential Office who met with reporters responded, "There is nothing special to say."