Seoul turns to the UAE for alternative crude routes, unveiling new supply deals as Middle East tensions threaten energy security….
South Korea has moved swiftly to shield its economy from the deepening global oil shock, announcing plans to secure an additional 18 million barrels of crude from the United Arab Emirates as conflict in the Middle East disrupts key supply routes and drives up prices.
The move underscores growing anxiety in Seoul, where roughly 70 percent of crude imports typically pass through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint now effectively compromised amid ongoing hostilities involving Iran.
Speaking at a press briefing, presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik outlined the structure of the deal, revealing that six million barrels would be transported aboard UAE-flagged vessels, while a further 12 million barrels would arrive on ships operated by South Korea.
Crucially, the shipments will be routed through what officials described as “diversified supply channels,” signaling an urgent effort to bypass the increasingly volatile Gulf corridor. Authorities, however, declined to disclose specific transit routes, likely due to security concerns.
This has forced South Korea the world’s eighth-largest oil consumer to rethink its energy strategy in real time.
“With such a large share of our crude passing through Hormuz, securing alternative routes is no longer optional it’s critical,” Kang said, highlighting the South Korea’s vulnerability to prolonged disruption in the middle East.
Beyond the immediate shipments, Seoul has also struck a broader agreement with the United Arab Emirates that allows it to purchase crude on short notice in the event of further supply shocks. The arrangement builds on an earlier deal for approximately four million barrels and includes provisions for accessing up to two million barrels from jointly held strategic reserves stored within South Korea.
The escalating conflict has already triggered unprecedented domestic measures. For the first time in nearly three decades, the government has introduced a cap on fuel prices, an extraordinary step aimed at cushioning consumers and businesses from the surge in global energy costs.
South Korea’s daily oil consumption stands at around 2.5 million barrels, making stable access to imports essential for maintaining industrial output and economic stability.
As tensions continue to simmer and the future of key routes remains uncertain, Seoul’s latest move highlights a broader global scramble for energy security one that could reshape supply chains long after the conflict subsides.
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