(LEAD) Trade minister urges utmost efforts to secure oil, naphtha supplies amid Mideast crisis | Yonhap News Agency

## Summary
OK (ATTN: ADDS more info in last 2 paras) SEOUL, April 1 (Yonhap) -- Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo has called for utmost efforts to secure alternative oil and naphtha supplies to reduce uncertainties for South Korean companies from supply disruptions caused by persisting turmoil in the Middle East, Yeo's office said Wednesday. Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo speaks at a meeting with business officials in Seoul on April 1, 2026, to discuss South Korea's response to global economic issues. (Yonhap) In a separate meeting with major business officials Wednesday, Yeo said he has asked India, the United Arab Emirates and other countries to help South Korea secure oil and naphtha supplies, according to the ministry. Separately, Vice Industry Minister Moon Shin-hak held a meeting with officials from local petrochemical and chemical companies, where they agreed to put in "all-out" efforts to secure naphtha supplies. Korea Tass news agency's delegation in Pyongyang Tass news agency's delegation in Pyongyang prev (LEAD) Trade minister urges utmost efforts to secure oil, naphtha supplies amid Mideast crisis Next (LEAD) Trade minister urges utmost efforts to secure oil, naphtha supplies amid Mideast crisis

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(ATTN: ADDS more info in last 2 paras)
SEOUL, April 1 (Yonhap) -- Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo has called for utmost efforts to secure alternative oil and naphtha supplies to reduce uncertainties for South Korean companies from supply disruptions caused by persisting turmoil in the Middle East, Yeo's office said Wednesday.
Yeo held an emergency virtual meeting late Tuesday with commercial attaches and trade officials dispatched to the country's major trading partners to discuss response to the supply crisis of major industrial materials, including crude oil and naphtha, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources.
In the meeting, Yeo urged the officials to use all available resources to secure alternative sources of such materials by strengthening their outreach to foreign governments and resource companies to help reduce supply chain uncertainties for businesses here.
Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo speaks at a meeting with business officials in Seoul on April 1, 2026, to discuss South Korea's response to global economic issues. (Yonhap)
In a separate meeting with major business officials Wednesday, Yeo said he has asked India, the United Arab Emirates and other countries to help South Korea secure oil and naphtha supplies, according to the ministry.
Regarding the U.S. administration's trade inquiries into South Korea under Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act, the minister pledged efforts to safeguard national interests and ensure that the country is treated no less favorably by the U.S. compared with other major economies.
The ministry said it will continue efforts to address the energy supply and other trade-related issues concerning domestic companies while working to expand its trade network to help them secure new export markets and growth engines in the long term.
Separately, Vice Industry Minister Moon Shin-hak held a meeting with officials from local petrochemical and chemical companies, where they agreed to put in "all-out" efforts to secure naphtha supplies.
The government imposed export restrictions on the industrial material last month and has earmarked 469.5 billion won (US$311 million) in the recently proposed supplementary budget to help companies import naphtha.
nyway@yna.co.kr
(END)
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(LEAD) Trade minister urges utmost efforts to secure oil, naphtha supplies amid Mideast crisis

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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
- Korea's strong backlash against growing S.

### Areas for Consideration
- Korea, Canada discuss energy, industrial cooperation (LEAD) Gov't to introduce crude oil swap system with private companies for supply stabilization Keywords #trade minister Articles with issue keywords Most Liked (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation (LEAD) BTS scores 7th No. 1 album on Billboard 200 with 'Arirang' Most Saved (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot Liberal ex-prime minister to declare mayoral bid in conservative stronghold Most Viewed All Categories (LEAD) Trump calls on countries to 'go get your own oil' from Strait of Hormuz, or buy it from U.S.

### Implications
- The ministry said it will continue efforts to address the energy supply and other trade-related issues concerning domestic companies while working to expand its trade network to help them secure new export markets and growth engines in the long term.
- Korea, Canada discuss energy, industrial cooperation (LEAD) Gov't to introduce crude oil swap system with private companies for supply stabilization Keywords #trade minister Articles with issue keywords Most Liked (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation (LEAD) BTS scores 7th No. 1 album on Billboard 200 with 'Arirang' Most Saved (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot Liberal ex-prime minister to declare mayoral bid in conservative stronghold Most Viewed All Categories (LEAD) Trump calls on countries to 'go get your own oil' from Strait of Hormuz, or buy it from U.S.
- Korean Air to enter emergency management mode over soaring fuel costs (LEAD) Lee urges bold measures to cope with concerns about energy situation, including emergency economic decree if needed Declassified documents show N.
- Korea Tass news agency's delegation in Pyongyang Tass news agency's delegation in Pyongyang prev (LEAD) Trade minister urges utmost efforts to secure oil, naphtha supplies amid Mideast crisis Next (LEAD) Trade minister urges utmost efforts to secure oil, naphtha supplies amid Mideast crisis

### Expert Commentary
This article covers trade, minister, naphtha topics. Notable strengths include discussion of trade. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 657.