ID :
200543
Thu, 08/11/2011 - 05:05
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/200543
The shortlink copeid
Seoul mulls importing gasoline from Asian nations
SEOUL, Aug. 11 (Yonhap) -- South Korea is seeing if it can directly import petroleum products, especially gasoline, from neighboring Asian countries such as Japan to help cut prices here, government officials said Thursday.
The move comes as gasoline and diesel prices are reaching new highs on a daily basis despite government efforts to limit price hikes, even asking local refineries to voluntarily cut their prices.
Currently, the country only imports petroleum and petroleum products from Middle Eastern countries as products from Japan, China and other Asian producers do not meet the country's environmental and composition standards, according to the officials.
The Ministry of Knowledge Economy recently began a study on the possibility of changing the country's composition criteria to allow Japanese imports with the Ministry of Environment also checking to see the environmental impact of Japanese products, they said.
"Products from Japan and Taiwan are being considered and the government is first reviewing the possibility of adjusting its environment standards to allow Japanese products," an official from the environment ministry said.
In the case of Chinese products, it will be difficult to adjust the country's standards to allow them because China's standards are too loose, he added.
The move comes as gasoline and diesel prices are reaching new highs on a daily basis despite government efforts to limit price hikes, even asking local refineries to voluntarily cut their prices.
Currently, the country only imports petroleum and petroleum products from Middle Eastern countries as products from Japan, China and other Asian producers do not meet the country's environmental and composition standards, according to the officials.
The Ministry of Knowledge Economy recently began a study on the possibility of changing the country's composition criteria to allow Japanese imports with the Ministry of Environment also checking to see the environmental impact of Japanese products, they said.
"Products from Japan and Taiwan are being considered and the government is first reviewing the possibility of adjusting its environment standards to allow Japanese products," an official from the environment ministry said.
In the case of Chinese products, it will be difficult to adjust the country's standards to allow them because China's standards are too loose, he added.
