Local gas prices have risen for the 15th week in a row.

But weekly growth has slowed, as some predict the upward trend may be coming to an end.

According to Opinet, an oil price information website run by the Korea National Oil Corporation, the average price of regular gasoline nationwide rose one-point-seven won to top one-thousand-647 won per liter in the second week of August.

It's the highest figure since November 2018.

Prices rose by more than ten won for six weeks since early May, but the weekly gain has gradually dropped to about four won last week and just over one won this week.

Meanwhile, global oil prices have been sliding since last week. Dubai crude, which South Korea mainly imports, fell a dollar 50 to 69 dollars 70 cents a barrel this week, dipping below 70 dollars for the first time since the end of May.

Global gasoline prices are tallied at just above 81 dollars, down by a dollar 40 from last week.

The Korea National Oil Corporation said global prices are on the decline, affected by the spread of the delta variant, a downgrade in the Chinese economic growth outlook and reduced prospects in oil demand.