Gov't eases tier system on electricity bills to help people cope with heat wave
Rep. Jin Sung-joon, center, chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea's policy committee, speaks during a meeting with government officials at the National Assembly in Seoul, July 15. Yonhap
The government has eased a tier system on electricity bills to help people reduce their burden, a ruling party lawmaker said Tuesday, as an intense heat wave is expected to push temperatures to a record high this summer.
Rep. Kim Woni of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea told reporters that the government has provided energy vouchers worth 701,300 won ($507) each to underprivileged households since early this month.
A ceiling on a discount on electricity prices for underprivileged families was also raised to 20,000 won per month, Kim said.
Since 2019, the state-run Korea Electric Power Corp. has eased a tier system on electricity bills in July and August every year.
The threshold for the first-tier electricity rate has been eased from the previous under 200 kilowatt-hour (kWh) to under 300 kWh. The second-tier range has been adjusted from 201-400 kWh to 301-450 kWh, and the third-tier from over 401 kWh to over 451 kWh.
Electricity demand is expected to surge this summer as a record heat wave is forecast to grip the nation, Kim said.
The ruling party and the government will continue to make efforts to ensure enough power supply capabilities, Kim said.