Korea to send special envoys to Saudi Arabia, Oman, Algeria to secure alternative crude supplies

Korea will send special envoys to Saudi Arabia, Oman and Algeria to secure stable supplies of crude oil amid prolonged disruptions after the U.S. and Israel began their attacks on Iran Feb. 28, according to the government and the ruling party, Monday. The diplomatic move came as the Strait of Hormuz, the main passage for crude imports to Korea, has been effectively blocked, raising the need to secure alternative crude sources. “Securing alternative crude oil supplies is the most urgent task in the Middle East crisis,” Rep. Ahn Do-geol of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) said after a meeting between the party and government officials from relevant ministries. “We will make every diplomatic effort to obtain crude oil. (As part of the efforts), the government and the party agreed to dispatch special envoys to three countries — Saudi Arabia, Oman and Algeria.” Ahn said Korean-flagged ships would be deployed on alternative routes for crude oil supply, noting the government plans to dispatch five Korean-flagged vessels to the Red Sea, specifically to the Saudi port of Yanbu

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