Gas stations seek end to pole-sign law

The Korea Gas Station Association on July 26 submitted a proposal to abolish or improve the existing pole-sign system and root out the sale of dumping oils to restore distribution order.

The association submitted the proposal to Chong Wa Dae, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy, and the Fair Trade Commission.

S-Oil, one of the nation`s four refineries, pointed out the problem of pole-sign system and asked the government to abolish it. So the debate to normalize the domestic petroleum market is expected to win support.

In its statement, the association called for removal of the current pole-sign regulation that requires posting brands of a specific refinery, saying that it serves as an obstacle to entry into the market of new suppliers at a time when the domestic petroleum market is liberalized.