South Korea plans to double energy vouchers and a discount of gas prices for underprivileged families to cope with spiralling heating bills amid a prolonged cold wave, officials said on Thursday.
Countries around the world have faced rising energy costs in the face of a global surge in natural gas and heating fuel prices resulting from the conflict in Ukraine.
The measures would benefit almost 1.2 million families receiving energy vouchers and around 1.6 million homes eligible for the gas discount this winter, in a country of 21.6 million households, Choi said. "Our heating bills have gone up about 50% from previous years," said Lim Jong-cheol, a Seoul resident who said he and his wife have fixed incomes and are trying to cut back on expenses like eating out.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Heavy snow causes chaos in Japan and South Korea as cold snap sweeps through AsiaHeavy snow and record cold temperatures have caused several deaths and injuries in Japan. Officials say nearly 7,000 cold-weather shelters will be open in the Gyeonggi province which surrounds Seoul.
Read more »
South Korea's lunar orbiter unveils jaw-dropping images of Earth and the moonThe Danuri spacecraft arrived in lunar orbit in Dec. 2022, and its first image dump is out of this world.
Read more »
Utah gymnasts holding fundraiser for South Korea tripThe Red Rocks team will go on a special overseas trip that will involve training, exhibitions, meet-and-greets and more. To afford the trip for the athletes and staff, the Red Rocks will hold their first-ever fundraising event, A Night with the Red Rocks.
Read more »
North Korea locks down Pyongyang over 'respiratory illness': South's mediaNorth Korean authorities in capital Pyongyang order five-day lockdown due to rising cases of an unspecified respiratory illness, Seoul-based NK News reports
Read more »
Ship sinks between South Korea and Japan; 9 remain unconsciousShips searching in wind-whipped waters between South Korea and Japan have picked up at least 14 of the 22 crew members from a cargo ship that sank early on Wednesday.
Read more »
South Korea, Japan grapple with heavy snow chaos, delaysSEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Frigid winter weather gripped East Asia for the second straight day on Wednesday, causing several deaths and multiple injuries in Japan and a scramble for flights out of South Korea's resort island of Jeju following delays by snowstorms.
Read more »