South Koreans' average consumption of diesel edged up in 2013 from a year earlier, data showed Sunday, from the rising number of diesel-powered automobiles in the country.

According to the data by the Korea Petroleum Association, South Koreans consumed 438 liters of diesel on average last year, up 4.5 percent from the previous year.

The average consumption of gasoline, in contrast, increased at a slower pace of 2.1 percent over the cited period to reach 240 liters per capita.

Market watchers attributed the increase to the rising number of diesel-powered automobiles sold in the country, which came to 454,986 units last year, up 18.1 percent from 2012.

Imported models led the gain by rising 45.8 percent over the cited period to 97,185 units, while domestic models also increased 12.3 percent to 357,801 units, the data showed.

The price of diesel came to 1,795.15 won ($1.67) per liter as of Jan. 2, down 4.79 percent from 1,885.55 won on Feb. 4, 2013. The price of gasoline fell 5.5 percent to 1,968.98 won per liter over the cited period. (Yonhap News)