The nation's oil prices continued to rise and fall in the zero-won range for the fifth week, maintaining a stable level.

According to Korea National Oil Corporation's Oil Price Information Service Opinet, the sales price of gasoline at gas stations nationwide in the fourth week of August was 1,361.1 won per liter, down 0.1 won from last week.

The price of gasoline in Seoul, which has the highest oil price, was 1,457.3 won per liter, down 0.1 won from last week.

The lowest gasoline price in Daegu was 1,333.4 won per liter, down 1.1 won.

Seoul is the only area where the average gasoline price is around 1,400 won, while other regions are maintaining around 1,300 won.

The diesel sales price also fell 0.1 won from the previous week to 1,163.6 won per liter.

Domestic oil prices reflect international oil prices with a lag of 2-3 weeks. As international oil prices are rising from the second week of August, domestic oil prices are expected to rise slightly sooner or later.

International oil prices also rose slightly this week.

Dubai oil, the standard of crude oil imported into Korea, was $44.5 per barrel, up $0.5 from last week, and international gasoline prices rose by $0.6 to $48.3.

The Korea Petroleum Corporation explained, "The international oil prices have risen slightly due to the decrease in US crude oil stocks and production disruptions in the Gulf of Mexico caused by a hurricane, and are showing strong strength."

(Photo = Yonhap News)