South Korea dispatches special envoy to Libya for alternative oil sources

South Korea has sent a special envoy to Libya to secure alternative oil supplies, according to South Korean media reports from last Tuesday, April 14. South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun stated that envoys have been dispatched to Algeria and Libya, with plans to send another to the Republic of Congo, in response to the Middle East crisis impacting supply routes. Cho emphasized the ministry's commitment to actively pursue the dispatch of presidential envoys, in consultation with relevant ministries, the Korea Petroleum Association, and other stakeholders, to support government efforts in securing alternative supply sources. These remarks were made during a Cabinet meeting after President Lee Jae Myung urged the government to explore supply chain alternatives due to the Strait of Hormuz being affected by the United States' conflict with Iran, disrupting maritime traffic in the Middle East. Park Jong-han, deputy foreign minister for economic affairs, is visiting Algeria and Libya this week to discuss potential supply chain cooperation.