SEOUL, April 07 (AJP) - South Korea is dispatching a government delegation led by a senior presidential envoy to key energy partners in Central Asia and the Middle East to secure crude oil and naphtha supplies as the country braces for fallout from prolonged disruptions of the Strait of Hormuz.
Kang Hoon-sik, chief of staff to President Lee Jae Myung, will depart Tuesday for Kazakhstan, Oman and Saudi Arabia in his capacity as special envoy for strategic economic cooperation, the presidential office said.
Speaking at a briefing, Kang said the delegation — which includes officials from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and representatives from domestic energy firms — will focus on securing additional supplies of crude and feedstock.
“The most urgent priority at this point is to ensure stable supply of essential goods for daily life,” Kang said, noting Korea’s heavy reliance on Middle Eastern energy imports.
The trip follows a recent agreement with the United Arab Emirates to prioritize shipments of 24 million barrels of crude, with cargoes already arriving at Korean ports. However, Kang stressed that further diversification is needed until the regional conflict stabilizes.
“To ensure that high-level talks do not end as empty words, we will work closely with companies and provide all necessary support until shipments safely reach Korean ports,” he said.
Seoul is also working to secure safe passage for 26 Korean-flagged vessels currently in or near the Strait of Hormuz, prioritizing crew safety while coordinating with shipping firms and international partners.
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