Today Is Cheaper?... Oil Prices High on 'Strong Dollar'

[Anchor]
There are a lot of people who feel that gas prices have gone up every time they go to the gas station these days.

Gasoline and diesel prices have been on the rise for 12 consecutive weeks as the exchange rate has risen and international oil prices have jumped.

Next week is expected to go up further.

Reporter Choi Ah-young reports.

[Reporter]
A gas station in Gyeonggi Province.

I came here on purpose because the price was low, but it's the same that it's burdened by the rapid increase in oil prices.

[Lee Jin-soo / Sangam-dong, Seoul: It used to be around 1,500 won here, but it's gone up to 1,600 won now. If it's near 1,700 won, you have to use public transportation.]

[Lee Kwang-soo / Hyeoncheon-dong, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do: I put it in once every 15 days, but now I put it in once a week. I think there's a difference of several thousand won if I fill it up.]

Gasoline prices sold at gas stations nationwide in the first week of January were 1,671 won, up 8.8 won from the previous week.

It has been on the rise for 12 consecutive weeks.

The most expensive Seoul was up 9.5 won from the previous week to 1,729.6 won, and the cheapest Daegu was up 10.1 won to 1,643.1 won.

Diesel also rose for 12 consecutive weeks to KRW 1,516.3.

It's nine won more expensive than the previous week.

This is because the won's value per dollar has fallen due to the rising exchange rate and international oil prices have risen.

This upward trend is expected to continue for the time being.

[Jo Jang-eun / Head of the Korea National Oil Association: The rise is likely to continue for the next two weeks due to rising international product prices and higher exchange rates at the end of the year and the beginning of the year]

While food and daily necessities prices have risen one after another since the beginning of the year, the burden on consumers is increasing as gas prices soar.

I'm YTN's Choi Ayoung.

Reporter for shooting
: Jin Hyung-wook

Design: Im Saetbyul