Joo Ho-young, Floor Leader of the People Power Party
"Carefully Devise Support Measures for Middle Class Amid Soaring Heating Costs"
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] The ruling party and the government are considering expanding heating cost support not only for vulnerable groups but also for the middle class. The People Power Party and the government plan to hold a council meeting soon once additional heating cost support measures are prepared.
On the 31st, Joo Ho-young, the floor leader, said at the floor countermeasure meeting held at the National Assembly, "President Yoon Seok-yeol reportedly instructed to also consider support measures for the middle class in relation to the soaring heating costs," adding, "Originally, the ruling party and government council meeting was scheduled for the day after tomorrow (February 2), but it seems the government's preparation is somewhat insufficient, so it will be postponed."
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@
Floor leader Joo said, "The government should carefully devise support measures for vulnerable groups and the middle class due to soaring heating costs and prepare funding plans to ensure a thorough ruling party-government cooperation."
He also said, "The basic fare for taxis in Seoul is said to be raised from 3,800 won to 4,800 won," adding, "The authorities should consider ways to reduce the burden on ordinary people amid already high inflation and various fare increases." Amid the increased burden on citizens due to recently soaring heating costs, taxi fares are rising, and there is speculation that bus and subway fares may also increase in April, prompting demands for government price control measures.
Seong Il-jong, chairman of the Policy Committee, also said, "As the ruling party, we apologize for the difficulties the people are experiencing. Although we inherited a heavy and difficult burden due to the previous government's passive policies, the Yoon Seok-yeol administration and the party will do their best to resolve the soaring heating cost issue," adding, "The government should prepare measures to provide maximum support considering the difficult situation of the cold citizens."
Following the government's decision to double the energy voucher support amount for 1.18 million vulnerable households, the ruling party and government are reportedly discussing expanding the support target to include the middle class. After the meeting, floor leader Joo told reporters, "The reason for postponing the ruling party-government meeting was reported to be that measures for the middle class were not yet completed," adding, "The president instructed to consider support measures for the middle class as well, but the funding plans are not yet fully prepared, and a decision on whether to expand the scope to the middle class has not been made." He further explained, "The party cannot decide and force the government on expanding the middle-class scope; the meeting is to discuss that."
The government has prepared support measures for vulnerable groups' heating costs and took emergency measures such as holding an early Cabinet meeting to immediately approve a 100 billion won contingency fund expenditure agenda. However, a 'heating cost crisis' is expected as heating costs are expected to soar again in February. Accordingly, the government is preparing additional support measures, considering the existing support is insufficient. President Yoon Seok-yeol instructed at the senior secretaries' meeting held the day before, "Actively consider measures to reduce the heating cost burden on the middle class and ordinary people."
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