Choo Kyung-ho, Deputy Prime Minister for Economy and Minister of Strategy and Finance, criticized on the 10th, saying, “The government’s financial support following raising gas rates is Cho Sam-mosa (朝三暮四).”
Deputy Prime Minister Choo said at the monthly forum organized by the ‘Association of Journalists and Broadcasting Editors’ held at the Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul that day, “Should the Gas Corporation continue to suffer losses or reflect (rising costs) in the price so that the public can bear the increase in gas rates? Or, there is still a debt of 60 trillion won in the national finance, and it is a matter of paying more debt to deal with it.”
He pointed out, “I think the latter is the most undesirable,” and “It is Sammosa who raises gas rates and supports from finances.” At the same time, he emphasized, “It is not the right way to raise the rate and sprinkle cash to the people to support it.”
Deputy Prime Minister Chu said, “The overall direction should be towards energy saving and efficiency, but it is temporarily difficult.” He also said, “We need to seek cooperation from the people and if there is a part that the public sector can handle, we have to do it.”
Regarding the support for heating costs for the middle class, he replied, “It will take some time to review with the relevant agencies.” He added, “It seems that a different level of review is needed from the method of supporting heating costs for the vulnerable,” adding, “We are continuing to review and discuss with related organizations.”
[세종=뉴시스]
