Korea extends fuel tax cut scheme until year's end

The Korean government will extend the current tax cut imposed on fuel until the end of the year, the Finance Ministry announced Monday, considering the escalated volatility in international oil prices following the renewed Israel-Hamas conflict.
Fuel tax reductions -- namely a 25 percent cut for gasoline as well as 37 percent cuts for diesel and butane -- which were to end in October, will last two more months through the end of this year, the ministry said.
Finance Minister Choo Kyung-ho assessed the conflict between Israel and Hamas militants' direct impact on the Korean economy, energy supply and demand has been limited, though it could lead to fluctuations in international oil prices.
“The risk on energy and the supply chain can strengthen depending on how the Israel-Hamas crisis rolls out,” Choo said at a governmental meeting Monday. “We cannot rule out the possibility of facing difficulties again (due to the crisis) at a time when global inflation has been somewhat brought down.”
Though Korea has seen no major impact from the Israel-Hamas conflict on the country's imports of crude oil as Choo said, a surge in oil prices will be unavoidable if it develops into a geopolitical crisis for the wider Middle East region.
“The crisis could lead to a rise in international oil prices and lead to escalated volatility on the real economy and financial market, including the foreign exchange market,” Choo explained.
In response, Korea is to continue its scheme to tame inflation by bringing down the retail oil prices. The cut pulls down fuel prices by cutting a tax worth nearly 200 won (15 cents) per liter, depending on the fuel type.
With local retail oil prices yet to reflect the Israel-Hamas conflict, figures inched down last week after reaching a peak earlier this month. It is the first time in 14 weeks for retail fuel prices to show a downward trajectory.
According to Opinet, a website operated by the Korea National Oil Corp., the retail price of gasoline stood at an average of 1,788.3 won per liter in the second week of October, down 7.7 won from the week before.
The price of diesel was 1,693.3 won per liter, down 3.8 won from the week before. It has moved down to the 1,600 won range a week after surpassing 1,700 won for the first time in nine months.
The government will also extend subsidies for cargo truck drivers and others using diesel, natural gas vehicles.
The fuel tax cuts were implemented from November 2021 as volatile energy prices weighs pressure on the Korean economy, which is heavily dependent on energy imports.
相关文章
- A US strategic bomber B-52 is set to arrive at a South Korean air base later this week, multiple sou2023-12-11
- 진교훈10·11 서울 강서구청장 보궐선거에서 더불어민주당이 압승했다. 12일 0시10분 현재 75% 개표가 진행된 강서구청장 보궐선거에서 진교훈(사진) 민주당 후보가 58.9%를2023-12-11
- A documentary will give fans a glimpse at the making of Jimin's first solo album, his label Big Hit2023-12-11
HIT forum on space to be held in Seoul
The Korea Herald, the nation’s largest English newspaper, will kick off its annual business forum un2023-12-11Cast of ‘Norma’ says opera difficult to sing but easy to enjoy
Director Alex Olle's production of “Norma,” which premiered to open the 2016 season at the Roya2023-12-11Science minister welcomes HIT forum on space economy
Science and ICT Minister Lee Jong-ho on Wednesday made congratulatory remarks for The Korea Herald’s2023-12-11
最新评论