South Korea Seeks Gulf Help to Keep Energy Flowing and Ships Safe

South Korean Finance Minister Urges GCC to Secure Hormuz Strait

South Korean Finance Minister Koo Yun‑cheol met with diplomats from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on Friday to underscore the critical importance of maintaining free flow through the Strait of Hormuz. He requested that the GCC ensure:

• Continuous transit of oil, liquefied natural gas, naphtha, urea and other essential supplies.
• Safe passage for Korean vessels and crews in the vicinity of this strategic chokepoint.

The GCC envoys reaffirmed that South Korea is a top priority and pledged ongoing coordination with Seoul to sustain steady energy deliveries.

South Korea, along with many other Asian economies, relies heavily on fuels that transit the Hormuz Strait—historically carrying about 20 % of global oil traffic. Since the U.S. and Israel escalated conflict with Iran on February 28, Iranian actions have largely shut down the strait, driving up energy prices and heightening fears of a global slowdown.

The GCC coalition—Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain—provides South Korea with essential support for both energy security and maritime safety amid rising regional tensions.