Foreign minister discusses securing alternative oil supplies with local refiners
Published: 10 Apr. 2026, 12:42
![Foreign Minister Cho Hyun [YONHAP]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/04/10/b4db012e-fa33-4cc0-a701-bc7d522d1a58.jpg)
Foreign Minister Cho Hyun [YONHAP]
Foreign Minister Cho Hyun met with representatives from major local oil refiners on Friday and discussed the possibility of securing alternative oil supplies to replace those from the Middle East, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
The meeting with members of the Korea Petroleum Association, including SK Energy, GS Caltex, S-Oil and HD Hyundai Oilbank, came as the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway responsible for 20 percent of global energy supplies, remains blocked for Korean vessels amid the Middle East conflict.
Participating representatives from refiners proposed that the government provide diplomatic support in securing alternative oil supplies, saying more active government assistance is needed to ensure a stable supply of crude oil.
They also proposed that the government share real-time information on oil market regulations of major countries.
Cho said overseas diplomatic missions are making all-out efforts to secure alternative oil supplies in cooperation with host countries, adding that work is underway with prospective oil suppliers to secure oil exports, the ministry said.
Yonhap
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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