Seoul: The United Arab Emirates has pledged to supply crude oil to South Korea with top priority, as confirmed by President Lee Jae Myung's top aide, Kang Hoon-sik. The announcement was made during a briefing following Kang's return from the UAE, at a time when global energy markets are facing uncertainty due to the U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran and subsequent retaliatory strikes by Tehran.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Kang Hoon-sik highlighted that South Korea has secured a total of 24 million barrels of crude oil from the Gulf nation. The UAE has assured that no other country will receive crude oil ahead of South Korea, positioning it as the 'No. 1 priority' for oil supply.

The agreement includes an earlier arrangement for 6 million barrels, bringing the total to 24 million barrels of crude oil destined for South Korea. Kang also noted that approximately 3,000 of the 3,500 South Korean nationals who were in the UAE for short-term stays have returned safely.