◀ Anchor ▶
This year, many people struggled with prices rising to their highest level since the financial crisis.
Inflation is also expected to remain at a high level next year.
Electricity tariffs will rise sharply from tomorrow.
In addition, the fares of public transport such as buses and subways are also expected to increase, so life has become tighter.
This was reported by journalist Kim Ah-young.
◀ Report ▶
‘Ttareungyi’, a public bicycle in Seoul.
A third of Seoul’s citizens use the Ttareungyi, which is easily borrowed and returned, and costs 1,000 won for an hour and 15,000 won for a 180-day pass.
[서주희/서울 송파구]
“It’s slightly cheaper to ride a Ttareungi than take a bus for a short distance, and you can save money by buying a 6-month commuter pass…”
The deficit is growing every year, and the Seoul Metropolitan Government is considering drastically increasing other rates to 2,000 won per hour.
[정하린/서울 서대문구]
“I’ve always used commuter passes, but if it goes up that much, I think I’d rather just use public transit.”
Metro and bus fares also rise for the first time in eight years.
As the government will not budget for free transportation for the elderly and infirm next year, an increase in fares has become inevitable.
The most likely increase is 300 won, but in this case the price rises to 1,650 won for the subway and 1,600 won for the city bus.
Every day, the transportation costs that need to be used will increase by more than 20%.
[박시현/서울 강남구]
“University students are under a bit more pressure and don’t have much money. So I feel the burden will be a bit bigger… It’s about 100,000 won in the early to mid 100s… ”
Rate hikes on utilities, including transport, along with electricity bills, which yesterday were the biggest increase in 40 years, are the biggest factors putting pressure on already high prices.
[어운선/통계청 경제동향통계심의관]
“Of course, I can tell you that it will act as a factor of inflation and a factor that expands inflation…”
The price of petrol is expected to rise by around 100 won per liter from tomorrow as the government plans to reduce the amount of oil tax cuts starting next year.
Consumer prices, which have remained at the 5% level for almost six months due to the expected economic downturn, are not expected to fall for the time being, adding to the burden on the working-class economy.
I’m Kim Ah-young from MBC News.
Video Coverage: Kim Woo-ram / Video Editing: Kim Jin-woo
MBC News awaits your report 24 hours a day.
▷ Telephone 02-784-4000
▷ Send an email to mbcjebo@mbc.co.kr
▷ Kakao Talk @ MBC report
