SEOUL - Gas station operators in South Korea are threatening to temporarily close in unison unless the government halts plans to open more discount gas stations, The Korea Herald reports.

The Korea Oil Station Association (KOSA) said the government??s efforts to increase the number of discount gas stations to counter rising gasoline prices disregards the gas station market, which is suffering from its worst-ever financial crisis. KOSA said the association??s annual sales profit rate is just over 4%.

"We strongly request the government to immediately stop factitious, competition-encouraging policies in the already overheated gas station market. We urge, instead, for the government to push policies that can satisfy both the consumers and the gas station market like allowing gas stations to sell multiple products from different refiners or activating electronic commerce," said Kim Mun-sik, head of KOSA.

Recently, South Korea??s government announced plans to open up to 1,000 discount gas stations by the end of the year. There are currently 371 such stations in the country.

Minister of Knowledge Economy Hong Suk-woo said additional discount gas stores would "enhance competition between oil stations."

KOSA said the country??s gas station market is "supersaturated," with the number of stations throughout the country decreasing for the first time last year.

"Opening new gas stations in a situation like this only means the government is irresponsibly turning away from the financial difficulties of the market, and giving benefits to a few gas stations with taxes squeezed from the common people," said a KOSA spokesperson.