South Korea plans to reduce the share of its crude oil imports coming from the Middle East to 50% by 2035, Reuters reported on September 23. The region accounted for about 70% of the country's crude imports in 2025.
The government also plans to expand crude stockpiles by roughly 20 million barrels by 2030 and keep the Middle East share of gas imports below 30%, according to Reuters.
The targets are part of an energy-security strategy and will require changes in sourcing, contracts and infrastructure over several years rather than an immediate shift in supply.