South Korea adds naphtha to key commodity list with multiple initiatives to address Middle East supply disruption risk

Share:

Recently, the South Korean government officially included naphtha in the list of key commodities to prevent the potential impact of the interruption of naphtha imports in the Middle East on the operation of the downstream industrial chain.

Recently, the South Korean government officially included naphtha in the list of key commodities to prevent the potential impact of the interruption of naphtha imports in the Middle East on the operation of the downstream industrial chain. According to the policy briefing issued by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy of South Korea, naphtha has been temporarily designated as an economic security category, and the South Korean government has simultaneously launched a number of response measures, including expanding alternative import sources and implementing export controls.
As the largest importer of naphtha in Asia, South Korea imported 0.238 billion barrels of naphtha in 2025. Statistics from the Korean National Oil Company show that the country's naphtha import structure is highly dependent on the Middle East: about 24% of imports come from the UAE and about 13% from Qatar. Therefore, the impact of supply disruptions in the Middle East on the Korean naphtha industry chain is particularly prominent.
To hedge the risk of import disruptions, the South Korean government and private refiners are making every effort to ensure a stable supply of Australian condensate. Condensate, as an ultra-light crude oil, is the core raw material for naphtha production. At present, the market demand for Australian ultra-light crude oil from Asian refineries continues to be strong.
In addition, South Korea's Deputy Prime Minister of Economy and Minister of Planning and Finance presided over the 8th Supply Chain Stabilization Committee meeting and decided to establish a new "Middle East Impact Response Special Support Program" under the framework of the Supply Chain Stabilization Fund ". According to the plan, the South Korean government will provide a total of 1.5 trillion won of financial support to economic security related enterprises that are highly dependent on imports from the Middle East, as well as a preferential interest rate policy of up to 2.3 percentage points.

Previous

India to restart Tata Power Mundra coal power project to cope with summer power peak

Next

India Multidimensionally Promoting Diversification of Energy Imports to Deal with the Situation in West Asia and Shipping Risks in the Strait of Hormuz

Quick inquiry

Create

Inquiry Sent

We will contact you soon