SEOUL, Aug. 20 (Yonhap) -- Bans on hoarding urea, urea solution, medical syringes and needles will be extended for two months amid lingering concerns over supply disruptions, the finance ministry said Thursday.

In an emergency ministerial-level meeting, the government decided to extend the ban on hoarding until Oct. 31, while easing stockpiling restrictions as China has recently relaxed its tight control on urea exports, according to the Ministry of Finance and Economy.

Under the revised measure, importers, manufacturers and sellers will be prohibited from holding more than 200 percent of their monthly average sales from last year for more than seven days, up from the current limit of 150 percent.

Urea is used to curb emissions in diesel cars and make agricultural fertilizers.

The ban was first imposed in March as Beijing halted most fertilizer and urea shipments overseas.

A separate ban on hoarding medical syringes and needles will also remain in effect until the end of October, the ministry said.

Under the measure, medical product companies are prohibited from stockpiling more than 200 percent of their monthly sales recorded last year.

The measure, first imposed in April, was aimed at easing supply disruptions as military tensions between the United States and Iran drove up petrochemical prices.

brk@yna.co.kr

(END)

  • N. Korea silent on Lee's proposal for dialogue to officially end Korean War
  • (2nd LD) Lee proposes dialogue with N. Korea to officially end Korean War, halt Pyongyang's nuclear program
  • Incheon airport ranks world's No. 1 in int'l passenger traffic in first half
  • (LEAD) Gov't aims to supply over 230,000 additional homes in Seoul metropolitan area to tame housing prices

  • (2nd LD) Gov't aims to supply over 230,000 additional homes in Seoul metropolitan area to tame housing prices

  • N. Korea silent on Lee's proposal for dialogue to officially end Korean War

  • Trump signs memo permitting foreign shipbuilders to build up to 2 U.S. ships in their shipyards
  • (LEAD) Lee reiterates support for four-year, two-term presidential system
  • (2nd LD) Lee proposes dialogue with N. Korea to officially end Korean War, halt Pyongyang's nuclear program

  • Incheon airport ranks world's No. 1 in int'l passenger traffic in first half

  • Death penalty sought for woman accused of killing 2 men with laced drinks

  • N. Korea warns of 'self-defense' measures despite Trump's order to reduce drills with S. Korea
  • Seoul not notified in advance of Trump's order to scale back drills: FM Cho
  • Hanwha wins U.S. Army contract for K9 self-propelled howitzer prototypes
  • (LEAD) S. Korea, U.S. cut short joint military exercise following Trump order