In South Korea, there is a shortage of urea water required to purify the exhaust gas of diesel vehicles, and there are concerns about the impact on logistics.
In the background, the supply of raw materials from China has been stagnant, and the authorities are busy responding.
In South Korea, diesel vehicles are required to be equipped with an exhaust gas purification device, and urea water is used in the purification device to reduce the emission of harmful substances.
However, China, which depends on South Korea for most of the urea that is the source of urea water, mandated pre-export inspection last month, and the supply to South Korea has been stagnant.
As a result, there was a shortage of urea water in various parts of South Korea, and on the 9th, in Jeollabuk-do, local governments hurriedly set up a place where they could purchase urea water for local residents.
South Korean media said, "Demand for coal needed to make urea is increasing in China, affecting production. The Chinese government has effectively restricted urea exports."
President Moon Jae-in emphasized his efforts to secure urea water through diplomatic routes, but amid concerns about the impact on logistics, the Korean media said, "The government can make appropriate decisions. There are criticisms that the response may have been delayed. "