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UAE to prioritize crude oil supplies to Korea amid rising Middle East tensions

Published: 18 Mar. 2026, 17:44 Updated: 18 Mar. 2026, 19:44

Presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik speaks during a briefing at the Blue House in Jongno District, central Seoul, on March 18. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has pledged to prioritize crude oil supplies to Korea amid Middle East tensions, Korean presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik announced Wednesday.

“Amid a global emergency in oil supply and demand, the UAE has promised to supply crude oil to Korea as its top priority,” Kang said at a briefing at the Blue House on Wednesday.

Kang disclosed the commitment after a confidential four-day visit to the UAE as a special envoy for strategic economic cooperation. He returned earlier Wednesday from the visit, where he had traveled since Sunday as a special envoy of President Lee Jae Myung, accompanied by officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources.

“The UAE clearly promised that no country will receive oil before Korea — that Korea is the No. 1 priority in crude oil supply,” Kang said during the briefing.

During his UAE visit, Kang met with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and delivered a letter from Lee expressing concern over the situation in the Middle East and solidarity with the people of the UAE.

Kang also held talks with Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, head of the Abu Dhabi Executive Affairs Authority and special envoy for Korea, and Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and head of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company.

Presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik, center, speaks during a briefing at the Blue House in Jongno District, central Seoul, on March 18. [YONHAP]

The pledge comes alongside ongoing shipments secured under prior agreements. Under prior agreements, the UAE will supply 6 million barrels of crude oil using three UAE-flagged vessels. The volume was arranged during a phone call between Kang and Khaldoon on March 6.

In addition, six Korean-flagged ships will transport another 12 million barrels of crude oil. Shipments of naphtha — designated as an economic security item due to shortages in Korea — are already en route to Korea.

“Korean vessels are gathering in the UAE, and some are already on site,” Kang said. “Once the affected UAE oil supply facilities are restored within a few days, shipments will be loaded and sent immediately.”

Kang said that a total of 24 million barrels has been secured from the UAE.

Seoul and Abu Dhabi also agreed to deepen cooperation on oil supply chains, including a memorandum of understanding on securing alternative routes, according to Kang.

“We have avoided the worst-case scenario in crude oil supply,” Kang said. “At the very least, there will not be a situation where Korea cannot secure a supply of oil.”

Fuel prices are seen on a display board outside a gas station in Seoul on March 18. [NEWS1]

The talks also addressed the safety of Korean nationals in the UAE.

“Thanks to the UAE’s swift assistance, about 3,000 of roughly 3,500 Koreans temporarily staying in the UAE have returned safely,” Kang said. “We expressed our gratitude to President Mohamed and requested continued attention to ensure the safety of those still residing in the UAE.”

Kang’s visit unfolded under heightened security risks, as ongoing attacks on Iran affect travel.

“The delegation departed for Dubai, but the airport was closed, so we had to find an alternative airport,” Kang said. “We could hear explosions several times a day.”

Kang had initially planned to return on Tuesday, but a direct flight was canceled due to drone attacks, forcing him to return via Abu Dhabi.

Reporters attend a briefing by presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik at the Blue House in Jongno District, central Seoul, on March 18. [YONHAP]

Kang, however, drew a line between energy cooperation and defense issues.

“It is true that many countries in the Middle East are requesting Korea’s defensive weapons — so-called missile defense systems,” Kang said. “However, it is not appropriate to link this issue of oil supply with defense cooperation.”

On Washington’s reported request for warship deployment to the Strait of Hormuz, Kang said no formal communication has been made.

“There has been no official request yet,” Kang said. “In fact, the news reports are faster than any official communication.”

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY OH HYUN-SEOK [[email protected]]