South Korea Elevates Energy Alert Amid Emerging Oil Supply Disruptions

(MENAFN) South Korea has increased its national energy security warning to the second-highest tier, citing emerging disruptions in oil supply, according to reports released Wednesday by the country’s industry authorities.

The heightened alert, which took effect at midnight, follows a month of escalating conflict in the Middle East. Officials explained that the move reflects both tangible interruptions in domestic fuel availability and continued instability in global oil prices.

“The decision was made as disruptions in domestic oil supplies are materializing and as global oil prices are continuing to show excessive volatility,” the ministry said.

Crude shipments passing through the Strait of Hormuz have reportedly been halted for over ten days after the route was effectively shut down on March 1. The most recent tanker traveling from the strait reached South Korea on March 20. Last year, more than half of the country’s energy imports—valued at approximately $144 billion—originated from the Middle East.

Regional tensions have intensified since late February, when Israel and the United States launched coordinated military operations against Iran, leading to significant casualties, including the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader at the time. In response, Tehran has carried out drone and missile attacks across multiple countries in the region, targeting areas linked to US military presence and causing both human and material losses, while also shaking global markets and disrupting air travel.

The conflict has also resulted in the deaths of at least 13 US service members, with many others injured.

Iran continues to exert effective control over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital corridor for energy exports to Asia, permitting passage only to ships from nations it considers “friendly countries.”

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