SEOUL, South Korea, March 6, 2026 — South Korean authorities have stepped up monitoring of fuel prices and potential anti-competitive conduct in the petroleum market amid volatility linked to the situation in the Middle East.
The measures were discussed at the second meeting of the Unfair Trade Inspection Team under the government’s task force on cost-of-living stabilization, chaired by the Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC). Officials reviewed price trends for key consumer goods, including petroleum products, and considered responses to possible price fluctuations caused by geopolitical developments.
Authorities said they will intensify surveillance of potential market disruptions in the oil sector, including conduct that exploits international developments to raise prices. A cross-ministerial petroleum market inspection group will closely monitor fuel prices and quality at petrol stations nationwide, carrying out more than 2,000 special inspections each month.
The KFTC also said its regional offices will examine petrol stations with particularly high prices for possible collusion and may launch on-site investigations if monitoring reveals suspicious pricing patterns.
The government added that it will continue to monitor price developments for essential goods and respond quickly if unfair trade practices or consumer harm are identified.
