Frugal Gas Stations That Aren't Frugal... More Expensive Than Regular Stations, Also Selling Fake Fuel

211 out of 444 Jayoung Altteul Gas Stations Sell Fuel More Expensively Than Regular Stations
Serious Violations of Petroleum Business Act Including Substandard Quality and Fake Oil Sales

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jeong-wan] Among the 444 self-operated Altteul gas stations introduced to supply fuel at low prices, about half were found to be selling at higher prices than regular gas stations. Serious violations of the Petroleum Business Act, such as substandard quality and sale of counterfeit petroleum, have also been revealed, calling for countermeasures.

According to data on the "Status of High-Price Selling Self-Operated Altteul Gas Stations" received by Ku Ja-geun, a member of the People Power Party, from the Korea National Oil Corporation, as of September this year, 211 self-operated Altteul gas stations were selling at prices higher than the monthly average gas station prices in special cities, metropolitan cities, and provinces.

Altteul gas stations, first introduced in Korea in 2011, number 1,304 nationwide. They are categorized by managing entities into self-operated Altteul gas stations managed by the Korea National Oil Corporation, EX Altteul gas stations managed by the Korea Expressway Corporation, and NH Altteul gas stations managed by the NongHyup. As of August, there are 444 self-operated Altteul gas stations managed by the Korea National Oil Corporation.

To strengthen management of high-price selling Altteul gas stations that sell at prices higher than regular gas stations, the Korea National Oil Corporation has been implementing preventive measures since July, such as surcharging the supply price by 5 to 15 won per liter. However, the number of detected high-price selling Altteul gas stations does not seem to be decreasing.

Violations such as substandard quality and sale of counterfeit petroleum continue. According to National Assembly inspection data submitted by Eom Tae-young, a member of the People Power Party on the Industry, Trade, Energy, Small and Medium Enterprises Committee, from the Korea National Oil Corporation and the Korea Petroleum Quality and Distribution Authority, 143 self-operated Altteul gas stations managed by the Korea National Oil Corporation were found to have violated the Petroleum Business Act from 2017 to August this year.

By violation type: △53 cases of quality nonconformity △38 cases of distribution order disruption △21 cases of counterfeit petroleum sales △19 cases of short measurement △12 cases of illegal kerosene refueling. The number of violations detected at self-operated Altteul gas stations (143) is 1.6 times larger than that of NongHyup Altteul gas stations (90) and 16 times larger than that of Korea Expressway Corporation Altteul gas stations (9).

Regarding this, Representative Eom said, "In a situation where the difficulties of the people are increasing due to high oil prices and inflation, illegal acts at Altteul gas stations supported by the government to enhance consumer benefits continue unabated," and emphasized, "To eradicate illegal acts, thorough preventive measures such as regular inspections and continuous quality management of Altteul gas stations are necessary."

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