South Korea is reportedly intensifying efforts to secure alternative crude oil supplies from Africa, as escalating tensions between Iran and the United States continue to disrupt global energy markets.
The ongoing instability has affected supply routes across the Middle East, especially around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage responsible for transporting a significant share of global oil shipments. This disruption has forced major importing economies to reassess their energy strategies.
As a result, South Korea has turned its attention to North Africa, identifying Algeria and Libya as potential alternative suppliers of crude oil and naphtha.
According to reports, South Korean officials, including Deputy Foreign Minister for Economic Affairs Park Jong-han, held discussions with energy authorities in both countries as part of broader diplomatic and trade engagements.
In Libya, talks with the National Oil Corporation focused on the possibility of direct crude allocations to South Korea, including supplies of heavy crude oil. Libyan officials reportedly expressed willingness to supply South Korea, provided agreed conditions such as crude specifications, delivery schedules, and buyer credibility are met.
The discussions are part of South Korea’s wider strategy to diversify its energy import sources and reduce reliance on Middle Eastern supply routes, which are increasingly viewed as vulnerable to geopolitical shocks.
While South Korea remains fully dependent on imported crude oil, it continues to maintain a strong position in global refining and petroleum product exports, making secure crude sourcing a key economic priority.
