▲ Foreign Minister Cho Hyun responds to a lawmaker's inquiry during a plenary session at the National Assembly in Seoul on March 17, 2026. (Yonhap)

FM-Middle East

FM Cho requests LNG, oil procurement support in call with Omani counterpart

SEOUL, March 24 (Yonhap) -- Foreign Minister Cho Hyun on Tuesday asked his Omani counterpart to help South Korea with liquefied natural gas and crude oil procurement amid supply disruptions due to the prolonged conflict in the Middle East, officials said.

According to the foreign ministry, Cho made the call during his phone call with Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, as the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war with Iran has disrupted global energy supply routes through the Strait of Hormuz.

Cho expressed thanks for Oman's continued support and cooperation in ensuring the operation of South Korean troops dispatched to Somalia is carried out smoothly. He also urged Oman's support in the event that South Korean nationals need to exit the region.

Badr said major infrastructure in the Gulf countries had been greatly damaged by Iranian attacks, and urged Seoul's support and interest in the issue.

The two sides agreed to further develop their friendly relations in the future and continue their cooperation to restore peace and stability in the Middle East.

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