Searching Overseas Direct Purchase Sites Amid 'Yososu Shortage'... Fraudulent Activities Also Rampant

China Faces Urea Solution Shortage Crisis Due to Export Halt
Trading on Online Platforms at Over 10 Times the Price

On online trading platforms such as Danggeun Market, posts from netizens offering to purchase urea solution at prices typically more than 10 times higher have also appeared.
/Photo by Online Community Capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] As the shortage of urea solution continues domestically due to China's export suspension, more people are turning to overseas direct purchases. Urea solution is a component that converts nitrogen oxides, carcinogens emitted from diesel vehicles, into water and nitrogen. It is an essential item used in selective catalytic reduction (SCR) devices, which are mandatory for trucks and other vehicles to reduce nitrogen oxides.

According to the distribution industry on the 4th, recently, the number of people selling and purchasing urea solution through overseas direct purchase on open markets has increased. This is because the shortage of urea solution is particularly severe in Korea, making it easy to find urea solution products on overseas direct purchase sites.

Most overseas direct purchase products appeared after October of this year, when concerns about urea solution shortages began to arise. On used trading sites, the asking price per 10L soared to around 100,000 KRW, but on open market sites, urea solution products shipped directly from China through purchasing agency services can still be found at lower prices.

On overseas direct purchase sites, Chinese and Japanese urea solution products are easily found. Japanese urea solution is sold at somewhat higher prices than Chinese products.

Most buyers appear to be diesel passenger car drivers. Since 2015, when the domestic emission regulation 'Euro 6' was applied, diesel vehicles registered must mandatorily install selective catalytic reduction (SCR) devices for both passenger and cargo vehicles. Because of this, there are concerns that the logistics industry, which has a significant number of diesel vehicles, could also suffer considerable damage.

A man stands in front of a banner that reads "Notice of indefinite suspension of diesel exhaust fluid sales." / Photo by Yonhap News

Domestically, urea solution, which was previously traded at around 10,000 KRW, is now being sold at prices up to 120,000 to 130,000 KRW, more than ten times higher.

On the 3rd, Asia Economy searched for urea solution on trading platforms and easily found posts from netizens willing to purchase urea solution at prices over 100,000 KRW.

One netizen pleaded, "I can't operate my vehicle because there is no urea solution," and said, "I will buy it at any price, so please sell even just one." There were also posts urging urea solution sellers to "prioritize sales to cargo trucks and buses that are struggling with their business immediately."

Cargo trucks parked in the parking lot. Not related to the article. / Photo by Yonhap News

Additionally, scam cases taking advantage of the urea solution shortage have also emerged.

On the 4th, a urea solution manufacturer in Jeollabuk-do was deceived by a man impersonating a KT employee and had their phone number call forwarding switched. It is understood that this man intercepted calls to the urea solution manufacturer and approached buyers, claiming he would sell urea solution in bulk and asking for deposits.

A representative of the urea solution manufacturer said, "About 5 to 6 companies were deceived within half a day, and approximately 70 million KRW was deposited," adding, "He impersonated by showing fake business cards to the victims."

Meanwhile, the government is requesting cooperation from the Chinese government to resume imports for essential quantities to facilitate urea imports. In addition, to prepare for prolonged supply instability, plans are being considered to diversify import sources targeting not only China but also various countries including Russia.

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