South Korea plans to cut Middle East crude reliance by 2035
South Korea’s Industry Ministry has proposed reducing Middle East crude’s share of imports to 50% by 2035 after disruption linked to the Iran war. The plan also targets lower regional dependence for natural gas and additional condensate supplies.
By DoomRadar · Published on DoomRadar . Updated .
Based on two sources with available article excerpts. Source-linked claims are not independent confirmation.
What happened
South Korea’s Industry Ministry has proposed a 10-year natural-resources security plan targeting a reduction in Middle East crude’s share of imports to 50% by 2035. [1][2]
References for this detail (2)
- South Korea Aims to Cut Middle East Crudeaogdigital.com · Recorded source date: Sep 23, 2026, 11:32 AM UTC
- South Korea Aims to Cut Middle East Crude Dependence to 50% by 2035oedigital.com · Recorded source date: Sep 23, 2026, 11:17 AM UTC
The ministry said South Korea sourced 70% of its oil supplies from the Middle East in 2025, with most delivered through the Strait of Hormuz. [1][2]
References for this detail (2)
- South Korea Aims to Cut Middle East Crudeaogdigital.com · Recorded source date: Sep 23, 2026, 11:32 AM UTC
- South Korea Aims to Cut Middle East Crude Dependence to 50% by 2035oedigital.com · Recorded source date: Sep 23, 2026, 11:17 AM UTC
The plan seeks to secure additional condensate supplies; the ministry said South Korea imports about 45% of its naphtha demand and typically sources 77% of that volume from the Middle East. [1][2]
References for this detail (2)
- South Korea Aims to Cut Middle East Crudeaogdigital.com · Recorded source date: Sep 23, 2026, 11:32 AM UTC
- South Korea Aims to Cut Middle East Crude Dependence to 50% by 2035oedigital.com · Recorded source date: Sep 23, 2026, 11:17 AM UTC
For natural gas, the government aims to keep Middle East import dependence below 30% by 2035, after reducing it to 20% in 2025. [1][2]
References for this detail (2)
- South Korea Aims to Cut Middle East Crudeaogdigital.com · Recorded source date: Sep 23, 2026, 11:32 AM UTC
- South Korea Aims to Cut Middle East Crude Dependence to 50% by 2035oedigital.com · Recorded source date: Sep 23, 2026, 11:17 AM UTC
Context from the sources
The ministry described the proposed supply-chain changes as a response to disruption caused by the Iran war and said the conflict had affected global energy flows. [1][2]
Explore the sources and reporting timeline
2 source links · 2 domains
These counts describe the references, not independent confirmations. Different outlets can repeat the same original report.
Source timeline
Oldest to newest among the available source dates, not a chronology of the incident. Article publication dates come from the source; other recorded dates may reflect when a link was found.
- [2] South Korea Aims to Cut Middle East Crude Dependence to 50% by 2035oedigital.comReferenced for: detail 1, detail 2, detail 3, detail 4
- [1] South Korea Aims to Cut Middle East Crudeaogdigital.comReferenced for: detail 1, detail 2, detail 3, detail 4
What this could mean for you
South Korean fuel and petrochemical supply chains could remain exposed to shortages or procurement costs if Middle East flows stay disrupted.
The country currently sources substantial oil and naphtha volumes from the region, including supplies delivered through the Strait of Hormuz.
Reported basis: [1][2] · The possible effect is interpretation.
Depends on: Disruption to Middle East energy exports or transport continues before replacement supplies are secured.
Possible consequences, not a forecast. Their relevance depends on your location and the conditions above.
For your country
Choose a country to check how this event could affect you.
What changes the outlook
Risk increases if…
Continued disruption of Middle East energy flows before alternative crude, condensate and gas supplies are contracted.
Failure to secure replacement naphtha or other feedstock sources for South Korean petrochemical producers.
Pressure eases if…
Successful diversification of crude, condensate and natural-gas suppliers under the proposed security plan.
Still unclear
The sources do not specify which alternative suppliers, contracts or infrastructure would deliver the targeted replacement volumes.
The sources do not establish whether the plan has been formally adopted or provide a timetable for implementation.
Market implications
Market impact
Sources (2)
References for the reported details. Separate links do not necessarily mean independent confirmation.
Available excerpt
South Korea aims to reduce its reliance on crude oil from the Middle East to 50% by 2035, as Asia's fourth-biggest economy seeks to diversify…A short excerpt from our source record; open the original for the full article.
Available excerpt
South Korea aims to reduce its reliance on crude oil from the Middle East to 50% by 2035, as Asia's fourth-biggest economy seeks to diversify…A short excerpt from our source record; open the original for the full article.
AI-assisted analysis · . Based on linked headlines and available excerpts. Methodology · Report an error.