A person surnamed Park (37), who drives a cargo truck in southern Gyeonggi, said, "I'm scared every time I go to the gas station," voicing frustration. Park said, "Among drivers I know, there's even talk of saving on fuel by driving gently at 80 kph."
With international oil prices breaking through $100 per Barrel amid the Middle East crisis, domestic fuel prices are also soaring, increasing the burden on cargo truck drivers.
According to Opinet, the oil price information system of the Korea National Oil Corporation (KNOC), as of 11 a.m. on the 9th, the national average price of diesel was 1,920 won per liter. It jumped 20% in ten days from 1,598 won per liter on the 27th, before the United States and Israel struck Iran. In particular, the so-called "price reversal," in which diesel becomes more expensive than gasoline, appeared for the first time since May 2022.
A person surnamed Lee (58), a medium-duty cargo truck driver met at Cheonggye Arcade in Jongno-gu, Seoul, said, "When diesel was 1,600 won per liter, filling up cost about 200,000 won," adding, "I usually go to the gas station once a week, and I don't know how much I'll have to pay this time."
For cargo truck drivers, fuel costs account for around 30% of sales, so their income falls as oil prices rise. An official at the Parcel Cargo Association explained, "The freight rate is unchanged while only fuel costs have gone up, so cargo truck drivers have to bear the burden entirely."
The government is supporting cargo truck drivers with the "fuel tax-linked subsidies (292.66 won per liter of diesel)" and the "oil price-linked subsidies," but it is said that if fuel prices enter the 2,000-won-per-liter range, the more they operate, the more they could lose money.
The oil price-linked subsidies pay 50% of the difference when the average local diesel price exceeds the reference price (1,700 won per liter). The cap is 183.21 won per liter. Simply put, once the diesel price surpasses 2,066.42 won per liter, cargo truck drivers bear the full cost. Currently, the highest diesel price in Seoul is 2,658 won per liter.
There is also a time lag before subsidies are paid, so cargo truck drivers are searching for cheaper gas stations. A person surnamed An (62), a cargo truck driver, said, "I have to pay for the subsidies with my card first, so to be honest, I'm even scared to buy a meal," adding, "I constantly look for cheaper gas stations to save even a little."
On online communities where cargo drivers gather, tips are exchanged on how to save on fuel costs. For example, if a gas station listed as cheap turns out to be closed, call ahead first, and since driving too fast uses more fuel, maintain a steadier speed than usual.
However, some said it is daunting not knowing how high fuel prices will go. A person surnamed Seo (57), a cargo truck driver, said, "For now, it's at a level I can endure, but the biggest worry is not knowing how much more fuel prices will rise."
The government said it will crack down on and sanction cases of price gouging by domestic refiners and gas stations. It is also reviewing the introduction of maximum fuel price designation for the first time in about 30 years.