U.S. Becomes Key Oil Supplier for South Korea Amid Middle East Disruptions

A South Korean trade official announced that the United States has taken the lead in replacing disrupted oil supplies from the Middle East. The proportion of U.S. oil imports, currently at 16.3% of South Korea's total in 2025, is anticipated to grow further.

A South Korean trade official revealed that the United States now plays a pivotal role in filling the gaps left by disrupted oil supplies from the Middle East. The information was reported by the Yonhap news agency.

Currently, U.S. oil accounts for 16.3% of South Korea's total oil imports, a figure that is projected to rise, according to the unnamed source cited by Yonhap.

The shift underscores a changing dynamic in global energy sourcing, as South Korea increasingly turns to American oil to meet its energy needs.