"2,770 Cases of Illegal Oil Distribution Over 5 Years... SK Tops with 985 Cases"

Kang Hoon-sik "Tax Evasion, Vehicle Damage, and Environmental Pollution from Fake Oil... Seeking Eradication Measures"

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] It has been revealed that 2,770 gas stations were caught over the past five years for selling fake petroleum products, such as diesel mixed with kerosene, or selling products that failed to meet quality standards. Among companies, SK Energy was the most frequently caught with 985 cases over five years.

According to the 'Illegal Petroleum Distribution Detection Records for the Past Five Years' submitted by the Korea Petroleum Quality and Distribution Authority to Kang Hoon-sik, a member of the National Assembly's Industry, Trade, Energy, Small and Medium Enterprises Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea, hundreds of cases of fake petroleum sales, quality nonconformity, kerosene sales, and short-measure sales occurred annually.

By refinery, SK Energy had 985 cases, GS Caltex 489 cases, Hyundai Oilbank 487 cases, and S-OIL 406 cases. Cases involving discount gas stations and unbranded gas stations totaled 403.

By type, quality nonconformity was the most frequent with 1,217 cases. Quality nonconforming products refer to those that fail to meet petroleum business law quality standards due to poor management or storage negligence, or artificial product mixing.

A total of 651 gas stations sold petroleum below the proper quantity (short by 150mL or more when refueling 20L).

There were 561 cases of fake petroleum detected, such as fake kerosene made by mixing kerosene into diesel.

Kerosene sales, such as selling kerosene intended for heating as automotive fuel, accounted for 341 cases. This violates Article 39, Paragraph 1, Subparagraph 8 of the Petroleum Business Act.

The Korea Petroleum Quality and Distribution Authority notifies the relevant city, county, or district office when illegal distribution is detected.

The relevant district office can impose administrative sanctions on gas stations: business suspension for 3 months for fake petroleum, one warning for quality nonconformity on the first offense and business suspension for 3 months on the second offense, business suspension for 2 months for short-measure sales, and business suspension for 3 months for kerosene sales.

Assemblyman Kang said, "Selling fake petroleum can be used as a means of tax evasion, increase harmful exhaust emissions, and damage vehicles. We must strengthen crackdowns and strictly punish offenders with a zero-tolerance policy."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.