A PYMNTS Company

South Korea Nears Conclusion of Gas Station Collusion Probe Amid Rising Oil Prices

By  |  April 15, 2026

South Korea’s antitrust regulator is expected to wrap up its investigation into suspected collusion among gas stations soon, as the country grapples with rising fuel costs linked to global supply disruptions.

    Get the Full Story

    Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required.

    yesSubscribe to our daily newsletter, PYMNTS Today.

    By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.

    According to a statement made during a radio interview, Fair Trade Commission Chairman Ju Byung-ghi said authorities are in the final stages of examining allegations of price-fixing and coordinated pricing practices at several fuel retailers. The probe comes at a time when oil prices have climbed amid instability in the Middle East.

    “The KFTC will soon conclude its probe and impose appropriate measures, including corrective orders or fines, depending on the severity of any violation,” Ju said.

    The investigation has included inspections across multiple regions where fuel prices appeared unusually high. Per a statement, officials carried out on-site checks at gas stations in Busan, Jeju Island, Gyeonggi Province, and North Gyeongsang Province. These areas were identified as having significantly higher fuel prices compared to other parts of the country.

    Read more: Tokyo Authorities Raid Eneos Wing Office in Expanding Gas Oil Price-Fixing Probe

    Authorities have intensified efforts to monitor and prevent collusion in key sectors, particularly petroleum and other essential goods. According to a statement, these efforts are part of broader measures to stabilize domestic markets following supply chain disruptions tied to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

    Global oil markets have experienced sharp increases in prices as shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz face disruptions. The strategic waterway is a critical channel for global energy supplies, and any instability there has immediate ripple effects on international oil availability.

    South Korea remains especially vulnerable to such disruptions, as it relies heavily on imports for its energy needs. Per a statement, nearly 98 percent of the country’s crude oil is sourced from abroad, with the majority coming from Middle Eastern suppliers.

    Source: En Yna