Heating Costs Followed by Taxi Fares Rising... Ruling Party Urges "Government Must Consider Inflation Measures"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People’s Party, stated on the 31st, "The authorities should consider ways to alleviate the burden on ordinary citizens amid various fee hikes, especially when they are already struggling with high inflation."

At the floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly that morning, Floor Leader Joo said, "It is said that the basic fare for taxis in Seoul will increase from 3,800 won to 4,800 won." With the recent surge in heating costs increasing the public’s burden and taxi fares rising, along with the possibility of bus and subway fare hikes in April, he called on the authorities to implement price control measures.

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, is attending the floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 31st and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

He added, "In the case of the subway, it seems deficits have occurred due to free rides, and since there has been no fare increase for eight years, they seem to be under a lot of pressure." He continued, "The Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Ministry of Economy and Finance are engaged in a standoff over the subway free ride issue, but I hope they will put their heads together to find a good solution." He further stated, "In fact, free rides for those aged 65 and over are decided by the central government, while the financial burden falls on local governments, so it seems necessary to discuss fundamental solutions centered on the National Assembly’s Planning and Finance Committee."

Sung Il-jong, chairman of the party’s Policy Committee, also said at the meeting, "The pain that the people are experiencing due to heating costs and their sharp rise is significant," and added, "As the ruling party, we express our apologies for the various difficulties the people are facing."

Chairman Sung said, "The supply chain collapse caused by the Ukraine war has driven up global energy prices," and promised, "Although we inherited a heavy and difficult burden due to the previous government’s passive policies, the Yoon Seok-yeol administration and our party will do our best to resolve the surge in heating costs that the people are experiencing." He continued, "I hope the government will prepare measures to provide maximum support considering the difficult situation of the people enduring the cold winter," and urged, "Please carefully check whether the benefits such as energy vouchers, which the government has already decided to provide to vulnerable groups, are being distributed fairly."

Earlier, President Yoon Seok-yeol immediately approved the expenditure of 100 billion won in contingency funds, which was resolved at the Cabinet meeting the previous day to support heating costs for vulnerable groups. On the same day, at the presidential senior secretaries’ meeting, President Yoon also instructed, "Actively review measures to reduce the heating cost burden on the middle class and ordinary citizens."