The South Korean government said Tuesday that it will raise electricity rates by an average 5.4 percent in an attempt to deter the country's heavy use of electricity, which has prompted concerns over a possible blackout during peak seasons. Starting from Thursday, the average price of electricity for households will be raised by 2.7 percent, while that of electricity consumed by the industrial sector and large office buildings will be hiked by an average 6.4 percent and 5.8 percent, respectively, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.