[Sejong = E-Daily Reporter Kim Mi-Young ] Although the government has launched special measures to curb consumer prices, data shows that prices for about six out of ten items under scrutiny have risen over the past seven months.

Prices for fabric softener jumped 67%, and those for ready-to-eat meals rose by more than 20%, while instant noodles, snacks, and dining-out costs also rose one after another. This suggests that despite the government’s all-out efforts to manage prices, it has reached its limits in curbing the inflation felt by ordinary citizens.

Critics point out that it is not enough to merely monitor price trends closely; measures are needed that can lead to actual price stability.

According to the “Price Survey of Goods Closely Related to People’s Livelihoods” submitted on the 25th by the National Data Agency to Rep. Bae Jun-young of the People Power Party, a member of the National Assembly’s Finance, Economy, and Planning Committee, the average price of 14 out of 22 comparable items rose. This is based on a comparison of prices between March 25–27, when the survey began, and October 12–16, the most recent survey period.

The item with the sharpest price increase was fabric softener, whose average price surged 66.69% from 3,957 won to 6,596 won. Instant foods also rose by 20.42%, from 3,524 won to 4,244 won. Household plastic products increased by 14.26%, from 5,551 won to 6,343 won, and the price of disposable diapers jumped by 11.02%.

Food prices were no exception. Carbonated beverage prices rose 8.94%, snack foods 6.47%, and instant noodles 3.54%. Prices rose not only for restaurant items such as jajangmyeon (2.05%), pizza (1.63%), and fried chicken (1.40%), but also for kimbap (0.97%) and hamburgers (0.95%). Price increases were widespread, ranging from household goods to processed foods and restaurant meals.