|
Diesel could soon sell at higher prices than gasoline. Currently, the prices of diesel are 92-93 percent of gasoline prices. But now prices of gasoline are stable at the international oil market in Singapore, the main base for crude oil dealings in Korea, but the prices of diesel are soaring. At some gas stations in the capital area, diesel already costs more than gasoline.
As of December last year, gasoline vehicles made up 49.2 percent of all 16.42 million registered cars. Diesel cars accounted for 37.1 percent. According to the Korea National Oil Corporation, international diesel prices surged from W735.4 per litter in the first week of March to W852 in the third week of that month. During the same period, international gasoline prices went up only W36.40, from W652.30 to W688.70.
In Korea, taxes on diesel are only 71 percent of those on gasoline. Thus pre-tax prices for diesel are higher than those for gasoline, but diesel is cheaper after taxes. However, domestic diesel prices will likely be similar to those of gasoline by the second or third week of April, when the international diesel prices of March¡¯s third week are reflected on the Korean market.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
|
