"Surprised at the bill of 5.28 million won"... Are heating cost measures sufficient?

<Anchor>

There are some people who have been relieved by the release of the support book, but there are also people who are not eligible for support and do not know how to survive this winter.

Small businesses and the self-employed are particularly burdened.

Let's look at what reporter Jung Joon-ho covered first, and then we'll look more into the issue of heating costs.

<Reporter>

An orphanage in Seoul where 59 children live.

In January of last year, a year ago, the heating bill was 3.25 million won.

The room temperature was not particularly raised, but this month's bill came to 5.28 million won, a surge of over 60%.

[Daycare worker: I was very surprised when I saw this as soon as the bill came out.

I've been working for 15 years, and it's actually the first time I've paid such a high amount.]

This month, I'm in a situation where I have to spend all of my operating expenses from the city only for heating.

The central and local governments have prioritized support for the vulnerable and social welfare facilities, which have been hit the hardest by the heating cost bomb.

However, there are not a few low-income families who are exempt from the support conditions, and there are differences in the recipients of support by local governments depending on their financial capabilities.

Small business owners and self-employed people who use commercial gas are also concerned about the continuation of their business, but they were not included in the target of support.

[Dumpling house owner: I can't raise the (price) now more than anywhere else, so there's no profit because I sell it, and gas and electricity bills all rise, to the point of death.

It would be nice if the government would provide some support.] If the

rapid increase in heating costs leads to an increase in the price of goods and services, the domestic economy may further contract due to additional inflation.

This is why the government has yet to set a date for a gas rate hike that will be after April.

[Chu Gyeong-ho/Deputy Prime Minister for Economy: We will review the rate adjustment at an appropriate level at an appropriate time while looking at the burden of the people

. , It is pointed out that together with temporary support measures, measures to increase heating efficiency should be considered.

(Video coverage: Park Jin-ho, video editing: Yoon Tae-ho, VJ: Park Hyun-woo)

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Reporter Jung Jun-ho, who covered this story, is here. 

[Reporter Jung Joon-ho: First of all, the bill you receive now is for December use, right?

There are a lot of colder-than-average days this month, forcing demand for heating to skyrocket.

It's not just city gas rates.

If you use a lot of electric heating devices such as electric heaters or hot air fans, you have to worry about 'electricity bills' for heating.

Electricity rates have already risen by 9.5% from this month, so both electricity and gas rates are contributing to the explosion in heating costs.

The vulnerable have taken a breather for now, but it seems inevitable that the common people will be burdened with high heating costs throughout this winter.] 

[Reporter Jung Jun-ho: First of all, if you look at how much raw material prices have risen, the LNG import price in December last year was $1,255 per ton, which is 40.5% higher than a year ago.

Gas prices have been stabilizing this year, but the impact of China's economic activity, which declared Weed Corona, could be a variable that will raise gas prices again.

When looking at these contexts, it is ultimately a matter of the timing and width of the increase, and it seems that the additional increase in gas rates should be regarded as a constant and measures corresponding to it should be prepared.] 

[Reporter Jung Joon-ho: The government is now emphasizing that Korea's gas rates are at a lower level than the United States, Britain, or Germany, but it seems to be aimed at lowering resistance to the increase.

First of all, KOGAS is insisting that it should raise at least 10 won per megajoule this year in order to normalize management.

This would be double the increase from last year.

Headwinds can be great, so the government seems to be thinking about adjusting the speed.]