South Korea energy price hike sparks corporate concern

SEOUL — South Korean authorities' decision to raise electricity tariffs for large industrial producers is raising concerns about the companies' costs as they try to compete with overseas rivals.

Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), the country's state-run energy provider, on Thursday raised electricity prices for large companies by 10.2%, following a 4.9% increase last November. According to information provided by KEPCO, 48.1% of electricity consumption in the country last year fell to the share of large companies.