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  • South Korea to Invest 21.3 Trillion Won in AI and Semiconductor Projects
    South Korea to Invest 21.3 Trillion Won in AI and Semiconductor Projects The South Korean government plans to invest 21.3 trillion won in three major projects focused on artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductors. This includes the purchase of 10,000 high-performance graphics processing units (GPUs) to support the development of independent AI models and the distribution of over 2,000 domestically produced AI robots in defense, police, firefighting, caregiving, and agriculture sectors.On September 1, during a Cabinet meeting chaired by President Lee Jae-myung at the Blue House, the government approved the 2027 budget proposal. The budget for the three major projects and AI-related initiatives will increase by 97.2% from this year's 10.8 trillion won to 21.3 trillion won next year.Specifically, the budget allocates 12.2 trillion won for building frontier-level AI models, 3.4 trillion won for semiconductors, 3.1 trillion won for physical AI, 500 billion won for establishing a domestic AI data center ecosystem, and 2.1 trillion won for infrastructure including power, water, and industrial land.A new allocation of 4.7 trillion won will be dedicated to developing frontier-level AI models. This includes 3.9 trillion won for purchasing 10,000 units of NVIDIA's top-performing GPU, the 'Vera Rubin,' and 800 billion won for acquiring AI training data. The government will also support the recruitment of 20 top global researchers with 25 billion won.The government plans to select key companies through a public competition and evaluation process, focusing on providing GPUs, data, and talent. The initiative will be structured to ensure that the benefits and results of AI model development return to the public. Until the Vera Rubin GPUs are secured, the government will initially deploy 7,000 GPUs from its own inventory. Additionally, it will support the leasing of 8,000 GPUs from private sector research and industry.For the 'Everyone's AI' initiative, which will be available for free to the public, 250 billion won will be allocated. This project aims to develop and provide a public AI agent that assists citizens in applying for essential public services such as resident registration, KTX ticket reservations, and passport renewals. A private AI agent will also be offered to help users search and book transportation and accommodation based on their travel plans.The budget for physical AI will increase more than threefold from 900 billion won this year to 3.1 trillion won next year. The government will invest 500 billion won in field demonstrations across eight sectors, including manufacturing, construction, defense, police, firefighting, caregiving, and agriculture, to create initial demand for domestic AI robots.Over 2,000 domestic AI robots will be introduced, with 650 units for research and education, 214 for defense, 369 for police and firefighting, 200 for caregiving, and 210 for agriculture and food sectors. In manufacturing, humanoid robots and robot-based automation systems will be distributed, focusing on supply chain partners and small manufacturers.The semiconductor budget will also expand from 1.3 trillion won to 3.4 trillion won. The government will establish a new 'Special Account for Strengthening Semiconductor Industry Competitiveness' with 2.6 trillion won to secure stable investment resources. To maintain a competitive ecosystem, the government will promote the development of domestic neural processing units (NPUs) and optimize AI models and services, as well as establish R&D collaborative fabs for producing prototype compound semiconductors.For the three major projects, 2.1 trillion won will be allocated to expand necessary infrastructure such as power, water, and industrial land. This includes 1.5 trillion won for power infrastructure, 400 billion won for water supply in industrial complexes in the southwestern and Chungcheong regions, and 200 billion won for advanced industrial infrastructure in the Saemangeum area.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-01 12:28:10
  • New Program to Support First-Time Employment for 160,000 Youth in 2027 Budget
    New Program to Support First-Time Employment for 160,000 Youth in 2027 Budget The government is launching a new 'Youth First Employment Support System' aimed at assisting 160,000 young people without job experience, providing support from career exploration to counseling, training, work experience, and employment. Eligible youth will receive a monthly job-seeking allowance of 650,000 won for up to six months.The Ministry of Employment and Labor announced on September 1 that it has prepared a budget of 38.9537 trillion won for next year, an increase of 1.2776 trillion won (3.4%) from this year. The ministry plans to focus on three key areas: future, inclusivity, and security.Specifically, the budget for youth-related programs will rise from 21.398 trillion won this year to 32.049 trillion won next year, an increase of 1.0651 trillion won. A ministry official stated, "The increase in the budget for youth programs is the largest for next year." The Youth First Employment Support System is a separate initiative that eliminates the job experience requirement from the existing National Employment Support System. Previously, young people without job experience faced limitations in participating in the National Employment Support System.The new program integrates career exploration, employment activity planning, vocational training, work experience, and job support. It will provide a monthly job-seeking allowance of 650,000 won for up to six months to 120,000 youth whose income is below 120% of the median and whose assets do not exceed 500 million won. The allowance will increase by 50,000 won from this year's 600,000 won.Additionally, 40,000 youth who do not meet the job-seeking allowance criteria will receive assistance in developing employment activity plans and job support services. Those who create an employment activity plan will receive a one-time participation allowance of 150,000 to 200,000 won.A ministry official remarked, "We have restructured the program to allow participation even without job experience, aiming to connect career exploration, work experience, and training to actual employment." In addition to cash allowances, the government will expand vocational training and support for first-time career development. The K-New Deal Academy, which started this year, will increase its capacity from 10,000 to 50,000 participants next year, focusing on job training and real project participation in advanced industries such as AI and semiconductors.A pilot program for youth AI first job career support will be launched with 750 participants. Youth will receive training in the AX field and participate in corporate activities, with the government covering labor costs and mentoring expenses. The scale of support will be gradually expanded based on the program's outcomes.Furthermore, the Polytechnic Youth Stepping Stone Campus will be established in eight regions nationwide for youth who have taken a break and vocational high school students. A total of 56 billion won will be invested to provide technical experience, professional counseling, and pre-training before entering formal vocational training.The Youth Job Leap Incentive will be restructured to enhance support for youth employed outside the capital region. Young people who secure jobs in non-capital region companies will receive up to 18 million won over two years.Approximately 25 trillion won allocated for five labor ministry projects, including youth initiatives, will be transferred to a newly established Future Response Fund. While the Ministry of Planning and Finance will manage the fund, the labor ministry will oversee project design, budget allocation, and execution.The government has not included the proposed 'one-time job-seeking allowance' for voluntarily resigning youth in this budget. A ministry official noted, "There were concerns that providing job-seeking allowances to voluntary leavers could lead to increased turnover in small businesses. We plan to develop supplementary measures before pursuing budget inclusion again." The government is also taking steps to alleviate polarization. The 'Durunuri Project,' which supports social insurance premiums for small businesses, will be expanded to provide better protection for workers who were previously outside the social insurance system. The number of beneficiaries will increase from 1.08 million this year to 1.8 million next year.Efforts to reduce industrial accident fatalities and wage arrears will also be accelerated. The government will invest 40.1 billion won to address gaps in industrial accident coverage and strengthen compensation systems, including the introduction of a pre-coverage system for industrial accident insurance. A new labor inspection training center will be established to enhance collaboration with local governments and improve the investigative capabilities of inspectors, while support for wage arrears recovery for affected workers will be expanded.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-01 12:28:00
  • Gwangju City Seeks Outstanding Small Business Owners
    Gwangju City Seeks Outstanding Small Business Owners Gwangju City is publicly recruiting outstanding small business owners.The initiative aims to identify exemplary entrepreneurs in the five districts of Gwangju to enhance the pride of small business owners.Eligibility criteria include being a manager of a manufacturing company with a headquarters and factory in one of the five districts for at least three years and employing at least 10 people.Key evaluation criteria will comprehensively reflect the company's operational history, financial stability, management performance, job creation, technology development, contributions to the local economy, and readiness for environmental, social, and governance (ESG) management. Qualitative assessments will also consider employee welfare and social contributions.Up to five individuals will be selected through document review, on-site inspections, and a review committee. The award ceremony is scheduled for December.Selected outstanding small business owners will receive expanded support limits for management stability funds (from 300 million won to 500 million won), an additional 1% interest rate subsidy, up to 10% additional support for structural improvement and export promotion loans, a discount on credit guarantee fees (from 1.2% to 1.0%), a 10% increase in trade insurance guarantee limits, and a three-year exemption from local tax audits.Additional benefits include priority support for overseas market development missions, participation in international exhibitions and fairs, and free environmental technology support for pollution emission facilities.Applications will be accepted from September 21 to October 2, until 6 p.m.Interested businesses can apply by visiting the Startup Promotion Division at Gwangju City Hall or by submitting applications by mail.Since 2012, Gwangju City has selected outstanding small business owners, identifying and supporting a total of 63 individuals by 2025.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-01 12:16:20
  • Lee Chang-hoon Appointed as 5th Director of Korea Medical Dispute Mediation Center
    Lee Chang-hoon Appointed as 5th Director of Korea Medical Dispute Mediation Center The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced the appointment of Lee Chang-hoon as the 5th director of the Korea Medical Dispute Mediation Center (KMDMC) effective September 1. His term will last for three years, from September 1, 2026, to August 31, 2029, during which he will oversee the center's operations.Lee, born in 1960, graduated from Woosung High School and earned a law degree from Korea University. He passed the 26th National Judicial Examination and was appointed as a judge in 1990, serving at the Southern District Court of Seoul among other positions. He has also held roles as a legal advisor at the law firm City and People, vice president of the Seoul Bar Association, an adjunct professor at the Judicial Research and Training Institute, and an auditor for the Korean Association of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, building a broad expertise in both legal and administrative fields.The Ministry expressed confidence that Lee's diverse experience will enhance communication between patients and medical professionals, strengthening the mediation center's core functions. They also noted that he is well-suited to fulfill the center's new role following the revised medical accident safety net.Lee stated, "I will work to strengthen negotiation and mediation capabilities so that the KMDMC can serve as a bridge that embraces patients' pain and represents the voices of medical professionals. With the recent changes in the law regarding medical accident compensation and dispute resolution, the KMDMC is at a turning point in fulfilling its new social responsibilities."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-01 12:16:00
  • South Korea to Allocate Record 152 Trillion Won for Welfare Budget in 2027
    South Korea to Allocate Record 152 Trillion Won for Welfare Budget in 2027 The South Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare has proposed a record budget of 152 trillion won for 2027. The budget aims to strengthen welfare support for low-income individuals facing economic hardships and to revitalize local hospitals that are at risk of collapse due to an influx of patients to metropolitan areas. Additionally, a new "Future Response Fund" will be established to provide substantial financial support to young families raising children.On September 1, the Ministry announced that the total expenditure for the 2027 budget is set at 148.77 trillion won, an 8.2% increase from this year's budget. When including the newly created Future Response Fund, which allocates 3.66 trillion won for welfare, the total budget reaches 152.43 trillion won, marking a significant 10.9% increase from the previous year.Strengthened Welfare Support: Median Income Benchmark Increased by 6.7%A key highlight of the budget proposal is the unprecedented increase in the "median income" benchmark. This benchmark represents the income level of the household that falls exactly in the middle of all households in South Korea. It serves as a crucial criterion for determining the distribution and amount of various welfare benefits.The government plans to raise the median income by 6.7% next year, the largest increase since the introduction of the tailored benefit system in 2015. This adjustment will allow individuals who previously fell just short of qualifying for welfare benefits to receive support. For example, a four-person household already receiving basic living support will see an increase of up to 139,000 won per month, providing significant relief to their financial situation.Furthermore, the basic pension for the elderly has been revised to focus benefits on the most impoverished individuals. An additional 30,000 won will be provided monthly to 3.48 million seniors in the lowest income bracket, allowing them to receive a maximum pension of 380,000 won.Revitalizing Local Hospitals: 1.26 Trillion Won InvestmentThe budget also addresses the pressing issue of local healthcare, which has seen many patients forced to travel to large hospitals in Seoul. The government is creating a special fund called the "Essential Local Healthcare Fund," amounting to 1.26 trillion won.This fund will be dedicated to revitalizing local healthcare services, with greater support directed to hospitals located far from the capital. Local public healthcare institutions will be prioritized for assistance, and local governments will be granted autonomy to plan and implement the healthcare services most needed in their communities.Additionally, 490 medical students who commit to working in rural areas for ten years will receive full support for tuition and living expenses, encouraging skilled doctors to establish their practices in these regions.Addressing Low Birth Rates: Future Response Fund to Support FamiliesThe newly established Future Response Fund aims to tackle the issue of declining birth rates and support the challenging lives of young people. The Ministry plans to consolidate existing childbirth and childcare support into a new "Childbirth Support Fund." Families will receive 10 million won for their first child, 12 million won for the second, and 15 million won for the third and subsequent children, distributed over a year. Families living in areas experiencing population decline will receive an additional 5 million won bonus.Moreover, a "Basic Child Allowance" will be introduced, providing 200,000 won per month (100,000 won in cash and 100,000 won in local gift certificates) for children aged 0 to 12. This initiative reflects a strong commitment to alleviating the financial burden on families raising children.Additionally, the government will cover the first national pension insurance premium (approximately 42,000 won) for 451,000 young people turning 18 in 2027, helping them start saving for their future.Minister of Health and Welfare Jeong Eun-kyeong emphasized, "We have structured the 2027 budget to strengthen the social safety net that protects lives, expand community care, and enhance essential public healthcare services to ensure high-quality medical care for all citizens, regardless of where they live. We are committed to realizing a welfare state that safeguards the lives of our citizens and have made every effort to reflect the necessary budget in this proposal." 2026-09-01 12:12:00
  • Seong Il-jong Criticizes Lee Administrations Cabinet Reshuffle as a Disaster
    Seong Il-jong Criticizes Lee Administration's Cabinet Reshuffle as a Disaster Seong Il-jong, a member of the People Power Party, criticized President Lee Jae-myung's recent cabinet reshuffle on September 1, stating, "They say 'personnel is everything,' but this is not the case; it has become a disaster."During an appearance on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus,' Seong remarked, "The nomination of Kim Seung-won as the Minister of Justice is the highlight of this reshuffle. I believe this cabinet is aimed at facilitating the dismissal of charges against the president."He also pointed out that the nomination of Yoon Hye-in as the Minister of Gender Equality and Family is seen as a bait for the appointment of the Minister of Justice. He referenced the first cabinet formation, where attention was drawn to candidates like Lee Hye-hoon for the Ministry of Planning and Budget and Kang Sun-woo for the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, while Ahn Gyu-baek, the Minister of National Defense, successfully passed his confirmation hearing.However, he praised Kang Shin-cheol, the nominee for Minister of National Defense, calling him a "commendable choice" and expressed hope that he would effectively address various issues, including the integration of military academies and the transfer of operational control.Seong also discussed the recent hot topic within the People Power Party regarding the direct election of party committee chairs, stating, "It has deviated significantly from its original intent," and predicted that its effectiveness would be limited.He explained that during the June election for the floor leader, he proposed positioning competitive candidates from the Seoul and Chungcheong regions to allow for adequate preparation time for the upcoming general elections. He expressed disappointment that the plan to reorganize around these regions has become disordered.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-01 12:08:00
  • Bank of Korea Launches New News Sentiment Index Using AI
    Bank of Korea Launches New News Sentiment Index Using AI The Bank of Korea has developed a new News Sentiment Index (NSI) that utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) language models to more accurately capture the sentiment embedded in economic news. The new index, known as the New News Sentiment Index (New NSI), is expected to serve as a leading indicator for economic trends, as it moves ahead of official sentiment indicators like the Consumer Sentiment Index (CCSI) and influences consumption and investment.On September 1, the Bank announced the development of a new system for calculating the news sentiment index using language models, which will be published starting this month. The New NSI will be included weekly in the Bank's Economic Statistics System (ECOS) without a separate press release.The New NSI aims to address the limitations of the existing NSI, which has been published as experimental statistics since February 2022. The Bank explained that advancements in natural language processing technology now allow the latest language models to analyze not just specific words or phrases but the overall context and meaning of articles.A key feature of the new index is its focus on selecting news that is highly relevant to actual domestic economic activities. The Bank collects economic news, preprocesses the text, and assesses whether it contains economic information, classifying the timing of this information as current or future. Sentences are then sampled and classified as positive, negative, or neutral to calculate the index.In particular, a pre-trained language model specialized in Korean has been fine-tuned to assess relevance to the domestic economy, classify timing, and conduct sentiment analysis. The sample size for sentiment analysis has been increased from 10,000 to 20,000 sentences. Unlike the previous calculation method, which only reflected positive and negative sentences, the new approach includes neutral sentences, reducing the potential for index distortion.The New NSI is analyzed to capture economic sentiment similar to the existing NSI while enhancing its leading characteristics relative to official sentiment indicators. The New NSI shows the highest correlation with the Consumer Sentiment Index and Economic Sentiment Index when it leads by one month, and with the Business Sentiment Index when it leads by two months, indicating a stronger leading characteristic compared to the existing NSI.News sentiment has been found to influence actual consumption and investment. When news sentiment improves, consumption, particularly of semi-durable goods, tends to increase rapidly, although this effect dissipates relatively quickly. In contrast, the impact of improved news sentiment on investment takes longer to manifest, with effects lasting around seven to eight months.The Bank of Korea assesses that the New NSI is highly useful as an informational variable for economic judgment. It contains more information for economic assessment than both the existing NSI and the Consumer Sentiment Index, particularly including additional economic information not captured by physical indicators. This suggests it could be valuable for monitoring economic conditions before physical indicators are released.Choi Byeong-jae, head of the Bank's Statistical Research Team, noted last month that the New NSI showed a slight increase compared to July, attributing this to ongoing positive news regarding exports and the stabilization of previously volatile financial markets. He added that the stock market has stabilized upward compared to July, and the exchange rate has also shown downward stabilization, contributing to the observed increase.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-01 12:04:10
  • Up to 1.15 million won in Earned Income Tax Credit Available for Eligible Households
    Up to 1.15 million won in Earned Income Tax Credit Available for Eligible Households Households with only earned income can apply for up to 1.15 million won in Earned Income Tax Credit until September 15. The National Tax Service (NTS) plans to send notifications to 1.3 million eligible households and will distribute the credits after review on December 17.The NTS announced on September 1 that it will accept applications for the first half of 2026's Earned Income Tax Credit from September 1 to 15.Eligible applicants are households with only earned income for both the individual and their spouse during the first half of this year. Households with business income or income from religious activities must apply during the regular application period in May next year.Among the eligible households, 864,000 are single-person households, 386,000 are single-income households, and 54,000 are dual-income households. The largest group by age is those aged 70 and older, totaling 492,000 households.Applicants for the first half will receive 35% of their estimated annual amount on December 17. The maximum payment is 1.15 million won, with the remainder adjusted based on annual income and assets in June next year.If the payment is less than 150,000 won or if a refund is anticipated, it will not be paid in December but will be determined after review in June next year. By applying for the first half, there is no need to separately apply for the second half in March or the regular application in May next year.The income criteria for eligibility are as follows: for single-person households, a combined income of less than 22 million won; for single-income households, less than 32 million won; and for dual-income households, less than 44 million won. Additionally, the total assets of all household members must be less than 240 million won as of June 1 of last year.If the total assets are between 170 million won and 240 million won, only 50% of the estimated amount will be paid. Debts are not deducted from the asset total.Of the 1.3 million households notified, 720,000 had previously consented to automatic applications by March, completing the application process without additional steps. The results of the automatic applications can be checked through the National Information Service, Home Tax, and automated response systems.If applicants consent to automatic applications this time, they will not need to apply separately until May 2029 for the regular application for the 2028 tax year, provided they meet the eligibility requirements.Applications can be submitted through the 'Apply Now' banner in mobile notifications, QR codes in mailed notifications, automated response systems, or Home Tax. If direct application is difficult, assistance can be requested from the Earned Income Tax Credit Consultation Center.Even if a notification is not received, individuals who believe they meet the income and asset requirements can apply directly through Home Tax by attaching proof such as an income verification certificate from their workplace.If an application is not submitted by September 15, it can still be made during the application period for the second half in March or the regular application in May next year to receive 100% of the estimated amount. If the regular application period is missed, late applications can be submitted until November 30 next year, but the payment will be reduced to 95% of the estimated amount.The government plans to include in this year's tax reform proposal an expansion of income requirements and maximum payment amounts for the Earned Income Tax Credit starting from the 2027 tax year. The maximum payment is expected to increase to 1.8 million won for single-person households, 3.1 million won for single-income households, and 3.6 million won for dual-income households.The NTS has warned that it does not require payment of fees, money transfers, or account passwords during the application process, urging caution against financial scams impersonating Earned Income Tax Credit applications.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-01 12:04:10
  • July Online Shopping Transactions Reach Record 25.95 Trillion Won
    July Online Shopping Transactions Reach Record 25.95 Trillion Won In July, online shopping transactions in South Korea reached 25.95 trillion won, driven by increased sales in food services, groceries, and automotive products.The National Data Agency reported on September 1 that last month's online shopping transactions rose by 7.3% compared to the same month last year, marking the highest monthly figure since the agency began tracking these statistics in 2017.Growth in transaction amounts was led by food services (up 8.9%), groceries (up 8.1%), and automotive products (up 31.1%).Mobile shopping transactions totaled 19.57 trillion won, reflecting increases of 6.4% year-on-year and 3.2% month-on-month. Mobile shopping accounted for 78.0% of total online shopping transactions, a slight decrease of 0.6 percentage points from the same month last year.By product category, clothing saw a decline of 6.1% compared to the same month last year, while food services, groceries, and automotive products experienced growth. Month-on-month, clothing sales dropped by 14.5%, while travel and transportation services (up 14.5%) and food services (up 7.9%) increased. The share of transaction amounts by category showed food services at 15.5%, followed by groceries at 13.9% and travel and transportation services at 12.6%.Mobile shopping reflected similar trends across product categories. Clothing sales decreased by 9.5% year-on-year, while food services (up 9.1%), groceries (up 6.8%), and agricultural and marine products (up 16.3%) saw increases. Month-on-month, clothing sales fell by 12.8%, while food services (up 7.9%) and travel and transportation services (up 12.6%) rose. The composition of mobile shopping showed food services at 19.7%, groceries at 14.7%, and travel and transportation services at 11.6%.Among online shopping transactions, mobile shopping accounted for the highest shares in food services (99.1%), e-coupon services (92.4%), and children’s products (85.3%). This share decreased in categories like communication devices (down 6.2 percentage points) but increased in cultural and leisure services (up 3.3 percentage points) and agricultural and marine products (up 2.7 percentage points). Month-on-month, the share for communication devices fell by 3.7 percentage points, while automotive products (up 4.1 percentage points) and clothing (up 1.5 percentage points) increased.By product range, comprehensive malls saw a 6.8% increase year-on-year, reaching 13.54 trillion won, while specialized malls recorded a 7.9% increase to 11.55 trillion won. Month-on-month, comprehensive malls grew by 1.7%, and specialized malls increased by 2.1%. Comprehensive mall transactions maintained a level above half of total online shopping transactions.In terms of operational types, online malls reported a 6.1% increase year-on-year, totaling 19.30 trillion won, while hybrid online-offline malls saw an 11.3% increase to 5.79 trillion won. Month-on-month, online malls increased by 3.0%, while hybrid malls decreased by 1.7%. 2026-09-01 12:04:10
  • Power Demand Hits Record High Amid Extreme Heat Despite Industrial Holidays
    Power Demand Hits Record High Amid Extreme Heat Despite Industrial Holidays 산업체의 여름휴가가 집중되면서 공장 가동이 줄었지만 기록적인 폭염에 따른 냉방 수요가 이를 상쇄하면서 전력수요가 올여름 최고 수준까지 치솟았다. 낮 시간대에는 태양광 발전이 전체 전력수요의 약 4분의 1을 담당하며 수급 부담을 덜었다. 기후에너지환경부는 8월 첫째 주 평일(3~7일) 전력수요를 분석한 결과 지난 7일 시장수요가 95.3GW(기가와트)를 기록했다고 1일 밝혔다. 올여름 들어 가장 높은 수준이자 역대 전력수요 가운데 다섯 번째로 높은 수치다. 역대 최고치는 2024년 8월20일 기록한 97.1GW다. 지난해 8월25일 96.0GW, 같은 해 7월8일 95.7GW, 2024년 8월19일 95.6GW가 뒤를 잇는다. 올해 8월 초 북태평양고기압과 티베트고기압이 동시에 영향을 미치면서 전국적으로 폭염과 열대야가 이어졌다. 지난달 2일 경남 양산의 낮 최고기온은 42.5℃까지 올라 1904년 기상관측 이래 최고기온을 기록했다. 8월 상순 전국 평균기온 역시 29.1℃로 역대 가장 높았다. 통상 7월 말부터 8월 초까지는 기온이 가장 높은 시기지만 산업체의 집단 휴가가 겹쳐 전력수요가 연중 최고치를 기록하는 경우는 많지 않다. 올해 역시 7월 다섯째 주부터 산업체 조업률이 떨어졌고 8월 첫째 주 조업 감소 폭이 가장 컸다. 특히 올해는 8월 첫 평일인 3일이 월요일이어서 산업체들이 7월 말까지 공장을 가동한 뒤 8월 첫째 주부터 본격적인 휴가에 들어간 영향이 두드러졌다. 하지만 산업용 전력수요 감소보다 냉방 수요 증가 폭이 더 컸다. 기후부는 산업체 조업 감소 효과가 없었다면 시장수요가 100.1GW, 계통수요는 106.8GW까지 상승했을 것으로 추정했다. 이번 폭염 기간에는 태양광 발전이 한낮 전력수요를 낮추는 데 상당한 역할을 했다. 전력시장에 참여하는 태양광뿐 아니라 한국전력 직접전력거래(PPA), 자가용 태양광 등 시장 밖 태양광까지 합하면 낮 시간대 전체 전력수요의 약 25%를 태양광이 담당했다는 게 기후부의 설명이다. 지난달 3일 오후 3시를 보면 전체 전력수요는 97.1GW였다. 이 가운데 17.4GW를 한전 PPA와 자가용 등 시장외 태양광이 담당했다. 이에 따라 전력시장에서 발전기가 공급해야 하는 시장수요는 79.7GW까지 낮아졌다. 여기에 전력시장에 직접 참여한 태양광 발전이 7.2GW를 추가로 공급했다. 시장 안팎의 태양광을 합치면 같은 시간 약 24.6GW의 전력을 생산한 셈이다. 시장외 태양광은 전력시장에 나타나는 수요 자체를 낮추는 효과를 낸다. 시장 태양광은 발전원으로 직접 전력을 공급한다. 냉방 수요가 집중되는 낮 시간에 태양광이 두 가지 방식으로 전력수급에 기여한 것이다. 다만 태양광 발전은 일몰 이후 발전량이 급격히 줄어드는 특성이 있다. 정부가 에너지저장장치(ESS)와 태양광의 연계를 강조하는 것도 이 때문이다. 낮에 생산한 태양광 전력을 ESS에 저장했다가 저녁 최대수요 시간에 공급하면 태양광의 전력수급 기여 시간을 늘릴 수 있다. 특히 태양광 설비가 늘어날수록 단순한 발전설비 확대뿐 아니라 낮에 남는 전력을 저녁으로 옮길 수 있는 저장·계통 인프라 확보가 전력수급의 새로운 과제로 부상할 전망이다. 정부는 9월에도 전력수급 상황을 예의주시한다는 방침이다. 기온이 높은 상태에서 태풍 등의 영향으로 습도가 높아지거나 태양광 발전량이 감소하면 전력수요와 공급 여건이 동시에 악화할 수 있어서다. 실제 2024년 8월에는 태풍 '종다리' 영향으로 덥고 습한 날씨가 지속되고 태양광 발전량까지 감소하면서 역대 최대전력수요를 기록한 바 있다. 문양택 기후부 전력산업정책관은 "9월부터는 겨울철 최대부하기에 대비해 발전기들이 계획예방정비에 들어가면서 공급능력이 점차 감소하는 시기"라며 "남은 여름철에도 기상여건과 전력수급 상황을 면밀히 살피고 비상 대응태세를 철저히 유지해 안정적인 전력공급에 최선을 다하겠다"고 밝혔다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-01 12:04:00