The final import figure will be available later in the month from state-run Korea National Oil Corp (KNOC).

Last month KNOC showed that crude oil imports by the world's fifth-largest crude oil importer fell about 4 percent on the year in August, swinging from two months of year-on-year growth due to delayed maintenance shutdowns at some local refining units.

Analysts said crude imports in September and October are expected to remain bearish year-on-year because of maintenance shutdowns at some CDUs of the country's top refiner SK Energy and second-largest GS Caltex.