Seoul: President Lee Jae Myung's chief of staff announced plans to visit Kazakhstan, Oman, and Saudi Arabia to secure crude oil and naphtha supplies, as there are few signs of progress towards a truce in the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the visit by presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik aims to address the government's urgent need to secure crude oil, following the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz. This closure occurred after U.S. President Donald Trump renewed threats against Iran, demanding the reopening of this crucial oil shipping route.

Kang emphasized the critical need for stable supplies of essential resources, highlighting South Korea's substantial reliance on Middle Eastern oil and naphtha imports. Naphtha is a vital petrochemical feedstock. Last month, an agreement was reached with the United Arab Emirates to receive 24 million barrels of crude oil, with shipments already arriving at South Korean ports.

Kang also underscored the urgency of finding alternative sources until the Middle Eastern crisis is resolved. He committed to collaborating with companies to ensure high-level consultations with Middle Eastern nations produce concrete results.

Furthermore, Kang detailed measures to ensure the safety of 26 South Korean-flagged vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing crew safety and considering shipping companies' positions. These vessels have been stranded since U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran in late February.

Kang, acting as a special presidential envoy, will depart later today with trade ministry officials and representatives from local energy companies.