Seoul, April 26 (SANA) South Korea’s imports of crude oil, naphtha and helium declined in March as shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz continued to impact global supply routes.
Data cited by Yonhap from the Korea International Trade Association showed crude oil imports totaled $5.95 billion in March, down 5.3 percent year-on-year.
Imports from the Middle East accounted for 63 percent of the total, marking a drop of 10 percentage points compared with the same period last year. In contrast, imports from the United States rose by 75.8 percent to $1.37 billion.
In the petrochemical sector, naphtha imports from Qatar fell by 7.5 percent to $180 million, while shipments from the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait declined by 57.5 percent and 48.1 percent, reaching $170 million and $100 million respectively.
Helium imports also dropped by 23.5 percent year-on-year to $12.98 million, with supplies from Qatar decreasing by 30.1 percent to $6.54 million.
The figures come as concerns persist over restrictions on navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy corridors. Despite a ceasefire, shipping activity remains below pre-conflict levels, according to sources familiar with maritime traffic.
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