USFK Criticized for Using More Electricity Per Capita Than ROK Military
Via a reader tip comes this article from Korea Bizwire criticizing USFK’s use of electricity compared to the ROK military.
Recent data from the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) showed that electricity consumption per capita for the USFK was almost ten times the average rate for the Korean military, again raising questions over excessive energy consumption by American military personnel stationed on the peninsula.
According to KEPCO, electricity consumption by the USFK was 683 million kWh in 2015, compared to 1.595 billion kWh for the Korean military.
However, given the number of personnel, with 28,500 American soldiers but around 630,000 Koreans, the average American soldier (23,965 kWh) consumed 9.47 times more electricity than their Korean counterpart (2,531 kW), the data noted.
Officials suggest that the USFK’s cheaper electricity rates are one of the factors encouraging excessive consumption of electricity.
The USFK currently receives electricity benefits, paying cheaper rates than Korean households and even industrial customers, which pay the lowest rate at 107.41 won per kWh. In 2015, the USFK paid a rate of 106.94 won/kWh, while the rates were 122.28 won/kWh for the Korean military, 123.69 won for households, and 113.22 won for educational institutions.
Another electricity benefit includes exemption of penalties or interest for overdue electricity bills. [Korea Bizwire via reader tip]
You can read more at the link, but considering the various command centers, barracks, family housing, commissaries, exchanges, etc. that US military bases have compared to a typical ROK military installation its seems this article is comparing apples to oranges.
Kick the Americans out now then Koreans will save money and the American tax payer will save money.
Agree with @GIKorea. It’s the amenities on USFK installations that make the difference. Plus the average service member thinks its free so they have no incentive to be conservative. Per capita is an “apples vs oranges” argument. I am sure that all the ROK military personnel stationed in remote areas would love to have more electricity, especially the brave men who are stationed at outposts along the DMZ.
Doug – if Trump gets elected, you may just get your wish. I am a Trump supporter but disagree with him about his stance on “Korea and Japan should pay us more for our assistance.”
A lot of that electricity used at US bases by “American military personnel” is actually used by the thousands of Korean national employees who work on base. Did KEPCO factor that into its usage assessment?
Good point. To answer your question, of course not! Hehehe