Utilizing Remaining Budget of Existing Energy Vouchers
"No Risk of Increasing KEPCO's Deficit"
Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party, announced a plan to support 1.3 million households with 15,000 won in electricity bills to help vulnerable groups suffering from the heatwave. Although vulnerable groups already receive support for electricity bills through discounts and energy vouchers, the additional support aims to reduce their actual electricity payments to nearly zero.
At the highest committee meeting held at the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 8th, Han said, "The unprecedented heatwave continues, and many vulnerable groups are suffering greatly," presenting the support plan. He added, "The figure of 15,000 won is not arbitrary. The average summer monthly electricity bill for a four-person household is about 76,000 won," and emphasized, "Vulnerable groups receive about 60,000 won in support through electricity bill welfare discounts and energy vouchers. Setting this amount for support means that, although there may be household differences during the heatwave, electricity bills for vulnerable groups will be supported to nearly zero."
Regarding concerns that supporting electricity bills for vulnerable groups could worsen Korea Electric Power Corporation's (KEPCO) deficit, Han explained, "This support will be carried out by utilizing the remaining balance of the already allocated energy voucher budget," adding, "There is no risk of exacerbating KEPCO's deficit."
Furthermore, he stated, "The heatwave is essentially at a disaster level. Considering the increase in fatal accidents, we will start with measures that can be implemented immediately," and added, "I believe that promptly responding while upholding principles regarding the people's suffering is what livelihood politics is about. The People Power Party will pursue such politics."
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