On the 9th, when a cold wave advisory was issued across Gyeonggi Province, Governor Kim Dong-yeon visited vulnerable households (jjokbangchon) in Haenggung-dong, Paldal-gu, Suwon City, and promised prompt heating cost support.
Governor Kim visited two households where men in their 60s live, checked their heating conditions, and inquired about their health and meals. They are basic livelihood security recipients and emergency heating cost support targets in preparation for the cold wave in Gyeonggi Province.
After observing the residents relying on electric heating pads, Governor Kim instructed Kim Hana, Director of the Gyeonggi Welfare Bureau, who was on site with him, saying, "(Except around the heating pad) this area looks really cold. It would be good to quickly execute the heating cost support we decided on."
He then comforted them, saying, "Please take care of yourselves in the cold and stay healthy," and "I hope the heating cost support helps you get through the winter even a little."
Another resident, who uses an electric boiler, complained about the burden of electricity bills making it difficult to heat properly.
Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon is inspecting heating and other facilities at the Paldal-gu jjokbangchon in Suwon on the 9th. Photo by Gyeonggi Province
Regarding this, Governor Kim said, "I came around because I was worried that the temperature will drop to minus 18 degrees tomorrow. Seeing everyone struggling, I hope the heating cost support helps even a little," and promised, "If you need anything, we will provide support."
Meanwhile, Gyeonggi Province is investing 15.43 billion won from the Gyeonggi Disaster Relief Fund to protect vulnerable groups facing difficulties due to rising heating costs, providing emergency support of 50,000 won for one month’s heating costs in January to 300,000 households of basic livelihood security recipients and near-poverty groups.
This emergency heating cost support was realized after Governor Kim promptly accepted the proposal made at the emergency livelihood stabilization meeting between the province and city/county governments on the 17th of last month.
Since 1 p.m. on the 8th, Gyeonggi Province has been operating Disaster Safety Countermeasures Headquarters Level 1 and, together with city and county governments, is conducting activities such as ▲strengthening safety checks for vulnerable groups including the elderly and homeless ▲inspecting cold wave shelter operations ▲and taking preemptive measures to prevent crop cold damage and livestock deaths.
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