The state antitrust regulator said Friday it will closely monitor possible price gouging practices of gas stations across the country and take necessary measures as fuel prices recently soared amid the military conflict in the Middle East. "We will mobilize all of our regional offices to check for possible collusion of gas stations, particularly those with high fuel prices, and will launch on-site investigations immediately, depending on the monitoring results, for a comprehensive response," the Fair Trade Commission (FTC) said in a press release. The FTC's announcement comes as fuel prices sharply increased over the past few days despite no immediate disruptions reported to Korea's oil supply from the escalating conflict in the Middle East sparked by U.S. and Israeli attacks against Iran. Government authorities were set to conduct at least 2,000 monthly inspections on prices and quality of fuel products across gas stations nationwide starting Friday as part of efforts to stabilize the local energy market. On Thursday, Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol said the government will use all possi