Seoul Explores Return to Russian Energy Amid Rising Middle East Volatility

Seoul discusses resuming Russian energy imports as Middle East tensions threaten the Strait of Hormuz, marking a potential shift in sanction policies to safeguard the economy.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 19, 2026, 6:01 AM EDT

Source: Reuters

The Hormuz Dilemma

South Korea is one of the world's most vulnerable major economies to Middle Eastern supply disruptions. Current data highlights the extreme reliance on the region:

Crude Oil: Approximately 70% of South Korea's imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

Naphtha: About 50% of the country's supply travels this same route.

Naphtha is a critical industrial feedstock used to produce petrochemicals for automobiles, electronics, and construction—all cornerstone sectors of the South Korean economy.

Policy Shift: Easing Sanctions?