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Another bad news is that electricity and gas prices are likely to rise.

Instead, the government decided to minimize increases and suppress other public charges such as railroad rates as much as possible.



Next is reporter Jeong Hye-jin.



<Reporter>



KEPCO is demanding an increase in electricity rates by 3 won per kilowatt-hour, the maximum in the third quarter.



The gas rate has already been raised by 0.67 won per megajoule next month.



The government also did not deny the increase in electricity and gas rates in the announcement today (19th).

[Chu Kyung-ho/Deputy Prime Minister of Economy: We will minimize



the increase in electricity and gas rates, which are aggravating the burden of production costs due to the sharp rise in international energy prices, through self-rescue efforts, etc.]



If accepted, there are concerns that the consumer price index, which stood at 5.4% last month, could now exceed the 6% level.



[Joo Won / Head of Economic Research Department, Hyundai Research Institute: There is a possibility that the consumer price increase rate in June will be significantly higher than in May.

In addition, if electricity rates are raised from summer, it can have a significant impact on inflationary pressure.]



The government will minimize the inflationary pressure in the second half of the year by freezing other utility rates such as railroad rates, road tolls, metropolitan water rates, and postal rates. It is a position to absorb.



We plan to freeze as much as possible in consultation with local governments on water and sewage rates and local rates such as city bus, taxi, and subway rates.



Up to KRW 1 million in emergency living support will be provided to 2.27 million low-income households, and energy vouchers will be provided to support 1.18 million energy-poor households starting next month.



In addition, in order to reduce the cost burden of shopping carts for ordinary people, emergency imports of agricultural and livestock products with unstable prices such as potatoes, onions and garlic are also reviewed.



We also decided to quickly import 50,000 tons of duty-free pork, which is called golden gyeopsal and its price is soaring.



(Video Edit: Soyoung Lee)



▶ Gasoline 57 won ↓ · Diesel 38 won ↓…

The effect is 'well'