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Since the first day of the new year, food and beverage and public utility bills have risen one after another, and prices are fluctuating.
The Bank of Korea also announced that it would continue its policy stance that emphasizes price stability this year.
This is Reporter Lee Hye-mi.
<Reporter> The food and
beverage industry raised the prices of some items at once from yesterday, the first day of the new year.
Coca-Cola 350ml cans sold at convenience stores rose from 1,900 won to 2,000 won, and ice cream prices increased by 10 to 12 percent.
Prices of dozens of items, including frozen dumplings, soy milk and processed cheese, have also increased.
A coffee shop is also planning to raise the price by about 200 won starting tomorrow (3rd), focusing on drinks containing milk.
Not only food, but also public utility bills closely related to people's lives are facing a domino increase.
While Seoul City has already announced that it will raise the basic taxi fare by 1,000 won from next month, most of the 17 cities and provinces across the country are strongly considering raising public transportation fares such as taxis, subways, and buses.
Starting from the new year, electricity rates increased by 9.5% from the fourth quarter of last year, followed by a significant increase in gas rates in the second quarter.
Some local governments have also raised the price of water and sewerage fees and volume-rate garbage bags.
As food and public utility bills have increased, the price situation experienced by the public is expected to worsen.
The Bank of Korea announced today in its governor's New Year's address that inflation, which is the most important factor in people's lives, will continue to rise in the new year, exceeding the target, and that monetary policy will be operated with an emphasis on price stability.