Lee: "Electricity Rate Gap Between Production and Consumption Regions"
Poor Domestic Situation Means "Difficult to Adjust Rates Immediately"
Lee Jaemyung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, clarified his campaign remarks regarding potential differences in electricity rates between production and consumption regions, stating, "It is not a policy to raise electricity rates, but rather a reflection of the reality that, in the long term, there is no choice but to go in that direction (to increase rates)." However, he added that considering the current economic situation, there will be no immediate changes to electricity rates.
On May 16 in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, Lee Jaemyung met with reporters and, when asked about a "plan to increase electricity rates," said, "It is generally predicted that there will be a gap between production and consumption regions during the process of adjusting electricity rates." He added, "However, because the domestic economic situation is poor and people's livelihoods are difficult, it will be hard to touch electricity rates right now."
Previously, during a campaign in Gwangyang, South Jeolla Province, the day before, Lee stated, "In the future, a distance-based system for electricity rates will be introduced," and "If electricity is cheaper in local production regions, there will be greater industrial demand for those areas." He explained, "A law has already been introduced to differentiate electricity rates based on production region, consumption region, transportation costs, and transmission costs." He added, "My vision is to reorganize Gwangju and South Jeolla as centers for renewable energy industries."
Regarding Kim Sangwook, an independent lawmaker whom he met earlier that morning at a campaign event in Iksan, North Jeolla Province, Lee said, "He was ultimately expelled for voicing his opinions in order to realize the values of rational conservatism," and added, "In other words, the People Power Party is an organization where politicians with rational conservative values cannot breathe."
He continued, "It is regrettable that the People Power Party seems to have completely abandoned its identity as a conservative party," and added, "What role Representative Kim will play within the Democratic Party will depend on his own judgment, and the party will also need to discuss it together." After leaving the People Power Party, Representative Kim declared his support for Lee.
Meanwhile, after completing his schedule in South Jeolla Province the previous day, Lee will continue to focus on consolidating support in the Honam region through campaign events in North Jeolla Province and throughout the weekend. He plans to attend the May 17 eve ceremony for the 5·18 Democratization Movement and the commemoration ceremony on May 18, remaining in the Honam region during this period.
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