International crude prices jumped by around $14 a barrel over the past week, while gasoline and diesel prices at Korean filling stations fell for a 17th consecutive week, Chosun Ilbo reported.

Domestic pump prices reflect the lag between refiners buying crude and shipping refined product. Industry figures put the usual delay in passing international moves through to retail at two to three weeks.

The price structure matters too. Because taxes account for a large share of the gasoline price, changes in crude do not transfer one for one to the final figure.

Inventory at each distribution stage is another variable. While volumes bought at lower prices remain, retail prices can keep drifting down.

The recent surge is therefore likely to show up with a delay. Critics have repeatedly noted that increases tend to pass through faster than decreases.

The government has periodically weighed adjusting fuel taxes. Because rate changes affect both revenue and consumer prices, the decision is not straightforward.

For consumers, differences by region and brand also shape perceptions; gaps between stations at the same moment can reach several hundred won per liter.

Aviation and shipping, where fuel is a large share of costs, are already preparing for higher expenses. Any change in fuel surcharge formulas feeds through to customer fares.