Seoul Breaks Hormuz Reliance: Securing 74 Million Barrels via Alternative Routes and Direct Imports from KSA & UAE

 South Korea announced today, April 27, 2026, a significant reduction in its reliance on oil passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Seoul secured 74.62 million barrels for May, including direct imports from Saudi Arabia and the UAE via alternative routes. By sourcing more from Africa and North America, Korea lowered its Middle East dependency from 69% to 56%. Presidential Secretary Kang Hoon-sik emphasized that this strategic shift, involving joint government-private cooperation, aims to stabilize the domestic economy amidst the 2026 energy crisis and regional warfare.