The United Arab Emirates has pledged to make it a top priority to supply crude oil to Korea, President Lee Jae Myung's top aide said Wednesday, noting that 24 million barrels of crude oil have been secured from the Gulf nation. Kang Hoon-sik, the presidential chief of staff, made the announcement in a briefing after returning from his trip to the UAE, amid concerns over global energy markets with the U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran and Tehran's retaliatory strikes entering their third week. "The UAE clearly promised us that no country would receive crude oil ahead of Korea and that we are the 'No. 1 priority' in terms of its oil supply," Kang said. "We have agreed to make emergency purchases of crude oil from the UAE at any time," he added, noting that Korea has secured the import of an additional 18 million barrels of crude oil. The additional supply includes 6 million barrels via three UAE-flagged vessels and 12 million barrels through six Korean-flagged vessels. The two sides have agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the supply chain of crude oil, including effort