Namyangju City Freezes Public Utility Fees for Water, Sewage, and Garbage Bags

"Considering Citizens' Economic Burden Due to High Inflation"

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] Namyangju City in Gyeonggi Province announced on the 20th that it will freeze local public utility charges for three categories: water supply and sewage, and garbage bags, considering the economic burden on citizens caused by high inflation.

[Image provided by Namyangju-si]

According to the city, to minimize the burden on citizens due to rising prices, it operates Good Price Stores and price monitoring programs.

This month, the city enacted an ordinance to provide stable support for Good Price Stores and is making every effort to stabilize prices by offering incentives to exemplary stores.

Meanwhile, consumer prices in January this year rose 5.2% compared to the same month last year, and public utility charges such as electricity and gas increased by 28.3%, marking the highest level since 2010.

Local public utility charges managed by cities and counties are also inevitably rising due to increased costs and the timing of the postponed 2022 price hikes. As a result, 22 cities and counties in Gyeonggi Province have confirmed increases or are promoting and reviewing new hikes.

Joo Kwang-deok, Mayor of Namyangju City, said, "We will strive to maintain local public utility charges at the same level as last year through cost management efforts such as cost reduction and expanding business ventures for management profits," adding, "We will implement policies that provide practical benefits to citizens."