President Moon Jae-in is looking at the site of KEPCO Engineering University from the Bitgaram Observatory in Naju, Jeollanam-do last year. Blue House Photo Reporters
The government decided to support part of the cost of establishing and operating the Korea Energy Technology University (KEPCO), which was President Moon Jae-in’s pledge, as the Power Industry Foundation Fund. The Electricity Industry Infrastructure Fund is a fund created by deducting 3.7% of the electricity bills paid by the people.
On the 12th, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy issued a’partial amendment to the Electricity Business Act Enforcement Decree’ containing these details. The government explained the purpose, saying, “It is intended to be able to use the power fund for the project to nurture professionals in the field of convergence related to the power industry.”
However, the scope of use of the Electricity Fund is stipulated in the enforcement decree that the government can revise itself. It is a kind of’quasi-tax’ created by subtracting a portion of the electricity bills paid by all citizens. In the end, it means that if the government makes up its mind, it can put funds where it is needed. In July of last year, the Ministry of Industry also announced a legislative amendment to the enforcement ordinance that will cover the losses caused by the nuclear power plant policy.
Against this, the opposition party is criticizing that the government is trying to use the electricity fund at will, like Ssamjitdon, to keep the’local pledge’ that lacks justification. Until now, there has been great concern that KEPCO could not afford the operating expenses, which could lead to a situation in which the people’s blood tax could be unfolded.
Rep. Han Moo-kyung said, “The number of universities in Korea is already overflowing and is undergoing restructuring, and the number of college admissions is rapidly decreasing due to low birth rates.” “The Electricity Fund Is it really common sense to write,” he criticized.
According to KEPCO, about 1.6 trillion won is required for the establishment and operation of KEPCO for 10 years after opening. The cost of establishment is 621 billion won. With the support of Jeollanam-do and Naju-si, KEPCO planned to share the cost of establishing and operating KEPCO with its subsidiaries including Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power. However, KEPCO, which had accumulated debts of about 131 trillion won by the third quarter, is burdensome to cover the costs of KEPCO. Through the revision of this enforcement decree, KEPCO could take part of the electricity fund accumulated by KRW 4.3 trillion.
Regarding this, an official from the Ministry of Industry said, “We did not create a basis to support only KEPCO, but we made it possible to support through the fund in the case of projects that contribute to power generation.” Will” he explained. The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy plans to consider the investment of the electric power fund not only for KEPCO but also for fostering the power industry convergence manpower at other universities.
Sejong = Reporter Seongbin Lim [email protected]