[Graphic News] Number of gas stations drops for 4th year in 2018

The number of gas stations in South Korea dropped for the fourth straight year in 2018, amid worsening profitability facing the industry, data have showed.

As of end-December, 11,769 gasoline stations were operating across the country, down 196 from a year earlier, according to data from the Korea Petroleum Quality & Distribution Authority.

It marked the fourth consecutive year of annual decline. An annual average of 149 gas stations have been shuttered over the past four years.