A month following the expansion of the fuel tax cut, oil prices are on a downward trend, with places selling gasoline at 1,700 won per liter in Daejeon. However, compared to the fact that it broke through the 2,000 won mark, it is something to be proud of, but most of the reactions are that it is still burdensome.
According to the Korea National Oil Corporation oil price information site Offinet, the average gasoline price in Daejeon as of the 3rd was 1837.40 won, regarding 300 won cheaper per liter than on June 30 (2144.03 won), before the expansion of the fuel tax cut was implemented. Diesel also fell below 2,000 won.
The diesel price, which had soared to 2174.96 won on June 30, traded at 1947.18 won on the 3rd. Moreover, gas stations that sell gasoline at 1,700 won and diesel at 1,800 won are also appearing one following another. The lowest price for gasoline in Daejeon is 1745 won and diesel 1,875 won.
The recent drop in oil prices is a welcome thing for consumers. This is because the effect of the cut was insignificant, with gasoline and diesel exceeding their all-time highs in just three days and in a week in May when the fuel tax cut was expanded from 20% to 30%.
However, there are many who are dissatisfied. First of all, the price of oil varies by gas station. Gas station A in Daedeok-gu is the most expensive place to sell gasoline in Daejeon. At gas station B in Yuseong-gu, gasoline is sold at 2,289 won and diesel at 2,379 won.
It is true that the price of oil has fallen compared to when it broke through the 2,000 won range, but there are also voices that it is still expensive. Due to the widening of the fuel tax cut, gasoline fell to the level in March this year and diesel to the level in May. Compared to January 2020, before the COVID-19 crisis, gasoline is regarding 270 won and diesel is regarding 550 won more expensive.
Office worker A (Jung-gu, Daejeon) said, “I think it is fortunate that the price of oil is falling due to the expansion of the fuel tax cut. But it is still expensive. It’s still a burden every time I refuel,” he said. The reason I gave up on the relatively expensive car price, noise and ride comfort was because of the maintenance cost, but the skyrocketing diesel prices are choking me,” he sighed.
Correspondent Jo Gil-sang [email protected]
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