National gasoline prices exceed 2,006 won… Seoul at 2,043 won, highest; Daegu at 1,990 won, lowest, a difference of 52 won

According to data from the Korea National Oil Corporation’s Oil Price Information Network released on the 23rd, the nationwide average retail price of gasoline at service stations was 2,006.01 won per liter, up 6.68 won from the previous week, surpassing the 2,000-won mark. Diesel prices were 1,999.80 won per liter as well, up 6.57 won from the previous week, close to the 2,000-won threshold, showing a synchronized upward trend. Gasoline and diesel have both maintained their upward momentum for two consecutive weeks, further increasing the cost-of-living burden.

By region, using gasoline as the reference: Seoul’s price was 2,043.18 won per liter, the highest nationwide; Daegu’s was 1,990.86 won per liter, the lowest nationwide. The price gap between the two cities was about 52.32 won. For diesel, Seoul again ranked first at 2,030.01 won per liter, while Daegu ranked lowest at 1,982.82 won per liter, a difference of about 47.19 won. The high-price structure centered around the capital region has been maintained, and the price gap with local areas is trending wider.

The Chungcheong area shows alternating increases and decreases. North Chungcheong’s gasoline price was 2,011.38 won per liter, up from the previous week and above the national average; South Chungcheong’s was 2,009.93 won per liter, with a limited increase. Daejeon was 1,998.18 won per liter, down 1.12 won from the previous week and falling below 2,000 won; Sejong was 1,999.27 won per liter, up slightly and staying on the borderline. For diesel, only North Chungcheong (2,004.61 won per liter) exceeded 2,000 won, while South Chungcheong (2,002.65 won per liter) turned to a slight decrease.

International oil price trends are also creating upward pressure. As of the third week of April, international gasoline prices were 1,996.29 won per liter and diesel was 1,990.18 won per liter, similar to domestic prices. Under the combined effects of global supply adjustments and expectations of demand recovery, domestic fuel prices are also expected to continue facing upward pressure in the short term; however, some regions have already seen cases of a shift toward declines, and the magnitude of increases may be limited.

■ Nationwide Gasoline/Diesel Prices

Nationwide: Gasoline 2006.01 won (+6.68), Diesel 1999.80 won (+6.57)
Seoul: Gasoline 2043.18 won (+13.88), Diesel 2030.01 won (+15.27)
Gyeonggi: Gasoline 2009.75 won (+6.55), Diesel 2002.82 won (+6.22)
Gangwon: Gasoline 2011.43 won (+10.85), Diesel 2005.32 won (+10.00)
North Chungcheong: Gasoline 2011.38 won (+5.76), Diesel 2004.61 won (+5.37)
South Chungcheong: Gasoline 2009.93 won (+8.09), Diesel 2002.65 won (+7.18)
North Jeolla: Gasoline 1998.39 won (+7.37), Diesel 1993.81 won (+6.62)
South Jeolla: Gasoline 2003.71 won (+9.31), Diesel 1999.53 won (+9.57)
North Gyeongsang: Gasoline 1998.77 won (+4.35), Diesel 1992.67 won (+4.01)
South Gyeongsang: Gasoline 1998.21 won (+3.56), Diesel 1995.09 won (+3.42)
Busan: Gasoline 1995.73 won (+3.37), Diesel 1988.50 won (+2.26)
Jeju: Gasoline 2030.90 won (+1.99), Diesel 2020.74 won (+4.58)
Daegu: Gasoline 1990.86 won (+5.19), Diesel 1982.82 won (+6.20)
Incheon: Gasoline 2005.06 won (+8.69), Diesel 1999.66 won (+10.77)
Gwangju: Gasoline 1996.99 won (+6.88), Diesel 1993.46 won (+8.79)
Daejeon: Gasoline 1998.18 won (+4.85), Diesel 1990.53 won (+5.51)
Ulsan: Gasoline 1995.65 won (+4.14), Diesel 1993.28 won (+3.88)
Sejong: Gasoline 1999.27 won (+4.55), Diesel 1994.42 won (+3.06)