Gyeonggi Province is joining hands with the Korea Petroleum Management Service to conduct a focused investigation on illegal activities targeting petroleum sellers such as gas stations and general sales outlets within the province from the 21st of this month to the 16th of next month.
Fake petroleum refers to products manufactured by mixing kerosene, petrochemical products, etc., into genuine petroleum products for use or intended use as fuel for vehicles or machinery. Fake petroleum is highly likely to contain sulfur, heavy metals, and other harmful substances, which emit toxic gases during combustion. This increases the concentration of fine dust and ultrafine dust, causing respiratory diseases, damaging vehicle engines, and leading to economic losses as well as threatening the safety of residents.
Gyeonggi Province will conduct a focused investigation on illegal activities such as the sale of counterfeit petroleum.
The main targets of the investigation include ▲manufacturing and selling fake petroleum products ▲selling petroleum in quantities less than the stated amount ▲selling petroleum through undocumented transactions ▲selling kerosene as vehicle fuel ▲illegal mobile sales of petroleum products, among others.
Under the current "Petroleum and Petroleum Substitute Fuel Business Act," those who manufacture, store, or sell fake petroleum face up to five years of imprisonment or fines up to 200 million KRW. Additionally, violating businesses may be subject to administrative sanctions such as business suspension or closure by the competent authorities.
Gi Do, Chief of the Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police Unit, stated, "We will focus on investigating illegal businesses selling fake petroleum to ensure the safety of residents and establish a sound petroleum distribution order." He added, "We plan to strictly punish illegal activities that harm the safety and health of residents in accordance with relevant laws and regulations."
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