Mayor Jeong Myunggeun of Hwaseong Vows to Eradicate “Underhanded Fuel Price Hikes and Hoarding” at Gas Stations

Hwaseong City Conducts Unannounced On-Site Inspections of Gas Station Fuel Prices
Declares Zero-Tolerance Policy Against Deceptive and Underhanded Fuel Price Increases
Urges Price Adjustments in Line with the Maximum Petroleum Price Policy

With the implementation of the maximum petroleum price system for the first time in 30 years, Hwaseong Special City (Mayor Jeong Myunggeun) has taken the swiftest action among local governments nationwide, launching on-site inspections of gas stations within its jurisdiction.

Myeonggeun Jeong, Mayor of Hwaseong Special City, conducted a surprise on-site inspection at a gas station in Byeongjeom District on the 13th. Provided by Hwaseong City

At 10 a.m. on the 13th, Myunggeun Jeong, Mayor of Hwaseong Special City, led a "Special Joint Oil Price Inspection Team" composed of officials from the New and Renewable Energy Division. Starting with a gas station in Byeongjeom District, he visited major gas stations in the Hyohaeng District area, conducting unannounced on-site inspections in succession.

This inspection was a direct effort to verify whether the maximum petroleum price system implemented by the central government (with a price ceiling of 1,724 won per liter for gasoline and 1,713 won per liter for diesel) was being properly enforced at the field level and to reflect the city's strong commitment to minimizing the burden on citizens suffering from soaring oil prices.

The inspections were carried out without prior notice, in the form of a "covert inspection," focusing on key areas such as: the display status of sales prices, inventory levels of petroleum, records of supply price fluctuations, compliance with the maximum price policy, and the accuracy of price indications.

In particular, Mayor Jeong met directly with citizens at the sites, including delivery workers and cargo truck drivers, to listen to their difficulties caused by rising fuel prices. He expressed the city’s determination to rigorously inspect gas station prices and implement price stabilization measures under municipal authority.

During the inspection process, it was revealed that some gas stations were still maintaining gasoline prices at around 2,100 won per liter. In response, Mayor Jeong requested an explanation from the gas station operators regarding their price calculation process and urged them to adjust prices in line with the intent of the maximum price policy.

However, because gas stations typically sell petroleum inventory acquired from refiners at previous prices, there is usually a time lag of about 2 to 3 days before the "maximum petroleum price system" is reflected in actual sales prices.

At the site, Mayor Jeong stated, "Even though the central government has implemented the maximum price system for the first time in 30 years, if citizens continue to experience price hikes they cannot feel relief from, local governments must actively step in to restore order in the market." He directed the relevant departments to strengthen unannounced and on-site inspections of gas stations and to respond strictly to any violations.

A small business owner, Mr. A, who was met during the inspection, said, "Recently, the burden from rising fuel prices has been heavy, but seeing the mayor personally conduct on-site inspections gives me reassurance as a citizen. I hope the city’s strong inspections will continue and lead to price stabilization."

Jung Myung-geun, Mayor of Hwaseong Special City, visited a gas station in the Byeongjeom district on the morning of the 13th to conduct an unannounced on-site inspection. Provided by Hwaseong City

Meanwhile, Hwaseong Special City began operating the "Special Joint Oil Price Inspection Team" on an emergency basis starting from the 11th, launching on-site inspections of 234 gas stations within its jurisdiction. The joint inspection team focused on the Dongtan District from the 11th and conducted intensive inspections of major gas stations in Byeongjeom and Hyohaeng Districts on the 13th.

Hwaseong Special City, which has one of the highest concentrations of gas stations in Gyeonggi Province, plans to further strengthen management of local gas stations through a comprehensive survey and joint inspections with the Korea Petroleum Quality & Distribution Authority. The city will also continue to conduct more strategic and efficient inspections by combining region-specific focused inspections with unannounced on-site enforcements.

Mayor Jeong Myunggeun stated, "Since the Lee Jaemyung administration has promptly introduced the 'Maximum Petroleum Price System' for the sake of people’s livelihoods, Hwaseong, as a frontline local government, must enforce it most rigorously in the field. We will not tolerate even a single won of deceptive price increases or hoarding that could disrupt the market, and will thoroughly track and eradicate such practices."

He added, "Hwaseong City will not tolerate even 0.1% of hoarding or illegal underhanded price increases that seek to exploit citizens’ thinning wallets during this national crisis. Until fuel prices stabilize, we will operate the joint inspection team around the clock and firmly protect citizens' daily lives with a zero-tolerance policy."

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