President Lee Jae-myung ordered a review of the rule that the high oil price damage support fund cannot be used at gas stations with annual sales over 3 billion won, saying, "Review easing the (sales threshold)." The current system designates spending outlets mainly for small businesses, but the very payment method, local currency, can only be used at businesses with annual sales under 3 billion won, so it cannot be used at most gas stations. In light of this inconvenience, the plan is to lower the threshold.
On the 29th on KBS Radio, Senior Secretary for Public Relations and Communication Lee Gyu-yeon said, "Because the 'high oil price damage support fund' is set so it cannot be used at places with sales of 3 billion won or more, it is a bit difficult to use in Seoul and Gyeonggi," adding, "Most places have sales above that level, so there were questions about why this cannot be used here (at gas stations)." He continued, "Yesterday (the 28th), the president told the senior secretaries at Cheong Wa Dae to 'hear both sides' and asked them to raise their hands," noting that the intent was to ask the aides where to place more weight between the original purpose and alleviating consumer inconvenience.
Lee said, "What the public intuitively takes from the 'high oil price damage support fund' is probably that they should at least be able to buy fuel," adding, "He ordered a review in the direction of easing that." According to the Korea Oil Station Association, among about 10,000 gas stations nationwide, 36% do not exceed annual sales of 3 billion won. Although the first round of high oil price damage support funds was paid on the 27th, criticism emerged that it was out of touch with reality.
Regarding this, an official at Cheong Wa Dae said, "Because there is a name 'high oil price damage support fund,' he (the president) took a forward-leaning view that it was understandable to misunderstand media reports saying it cannot be used at gas stations with sales of 3 billion won or more." The official added, "Since there is a possibility of misunderstanding, he also said to review a plan to temporarily ease it for a short period so it can be used for fuel regardless of size," noting, "Nothing has been finalized yet, and we have only now recognized it and begun reviewing it."