SEOUL — The South Korean Presidential Office announced on Friday that it has secured over 6 million barrels of crude oil from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to mitigate a looming energy crisis triggered by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. In a simultaneous diplomatic breakthrough, the government confirmed that the repatriation of South Korean nationals stranded in Dubai and Abu Dhabi due to the escalating conflict has officially commenced.
Emergency Energy Lifeline
During a briefing at the Chunchugwan press center on March 6, Kang Hoon-sik, the Presidential Chief of Staff, detailed the strategic cooperation between Seoul and Abu Dhabi. The move comes as a direct response to the military flare-up involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, which has resulted in the total blockade of the Strait of Hormuz—the world’s most vital oil transit chokepoint.
"The emergency import of over 6 million barrels of crude oil is a fruition of the strategic economic partnership between our two nations," Kang stated.
To bypass the blocked strait, the South Korean government has coordinated the use of alternative UAE ports that do not require passage through the Hormuz. Two South Korean oil tankers, each with a 2-million-barrel capacity, are set to dock at these alternative locations immediately. The UAE’s state-run oil company will then facilitate the loading of approximately 400 million barrels currently held in port storage to ensure a swift return to Korean shores.
Furthermore, the UAE has granted South Korea full access to an additional 2 million barrels of "joint strategic reserves" currently stored within South Korean territory. "We have received a guarantee that this 2-million-barrel reserve can be utilized whenever we desire," Kang added. "This total volume of over 6 million barrels—more than double South Korea’s daily consumption—will stabilize both domestic energy supply and volatile market prices."
Repatriation of Stranded Citizens
Beyond energy security, the Blue House confirmed that the "Skyway" for South Korean citizens has reopened. Following intense negotiations, the UAE government agreed to resume specific flight operations to evacuate those stranded by the regional conflict.
The first group of returnees is currently en route aboard Emirates Flight EK322, which departed from Dubai. The large-scale passenger jet is expected to touch down at Incheon International Airport around 7:30 PM tonight.
"Despite the UAE experiencing direct regional tensions and hardships, they have decided on special support out of consideration for South Korea," Kang noted.
The evacuation efforts are set to expand tomorrow. Flights operated by Etihad Airways departing from Abu Dhabi are expected to resume on March 7. To expedite the process, the South Korean government is also in talks with the UAE to deploy additional Korean Air charter flights to bring home all remaining nationals as quickly as possible.
A Strategic Alliance Tested
Analysts suggest that this rapid coordination highlights the depth of the "Special Strategic Partnership" between South Korea and the UAE. By securing oil through alternative ports and ensuring the safety of its citizens via diplomatic priority, Seoul is navigating one of the most significant energy threats in recent history.
The Presidential Office emphasized that it will continue to monitor the conflict closely and expand the use of alternative shipping routes to ensure that the domestic economy remains insulated from the volatility in the Middle East.
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