According to OilPrice, South Korea has increasingly turned to the Red Sea shipping corridor and Saudi Arabia's Yanbu export terminal to source crude oil supplies, as geopolitical tensions have disrupted traditional trade flows through the Strait of Hormuz since early March. The shift underscores growing supply chain vulnerabilities facing one of Asia's largest energy importers and most developed economies, which has historically relied heavily on the critical chokepoint.
Before the recent disruptions, the Strait of Hormuz accounted for roughly 61% of South Korea's crude oil imports and 54% of its naphtha supplies. The rerouting to Yanbu and alternative Red Sea logistics represents a strategic diversification effort, as South Korea seeks to reduce its exposure to geopolitical risks in the Persian Gulf region.
The redirect highlights broader implications for global energy markets, as major Asian importers reassess their supply chains in response to sustained regional instability. For South Korea, long-term import diversification remains essential to ensure energy security and stable access to critical feedstocks for its petrochemical and refining sectors.