Presidential chief of staff heads to Kazakhstan, Oman, Saudi Arabia as envoy to secure energy supplies

Kang Hoon-sik, presidential chief of staff, will depart Tuesday as a presidential envoy to Kazakhstan, Oman and Saudi Arabia to secure additional energy supplies amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East. Kang made the announcement during a press briefing on the Middle East situation at the presidential office earlier in the day, alongside Kim Yong-beom, the presidential chief of staff for policy. The trip will include officials from relevant ministries, including the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, as well as representatives from domestic energy companies, as the government seeks to expand crude oil and naphtha imports and diversify supply sources. “Our economy relies heavily on oil and naphtha imports from the Middle East, making it all the more urgent to secure alternative supply lines,” Kang said, adding that the government will work closely with companies to ensure shipments reach Korean ports without disruption.

Go to News Site