South Korea, Oman Discuss Expanding Economic Cooperation

SEOUL, June 1 (Yonhap) -- Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan on Monday discussed ways to expand economic cooperation between South Korea and Oman, including resources and logistics partnership, amid the prolonging Middle East crisis with the head of Oman's Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ), Kim's office said.

In a video meeting with OPAZ Chairman Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef, Kim commended the two countries partnership in energy and resources, expressing gratitude for Oman helping South Korea secure crude oil and naphtha supplies amid the long drawn-out conflict between the United States and Iran, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources.

Last month, Oman pledged to provide around 5 million barrels of oil and 1.5 million tons of naphtha, a key industrial feedstock, to South Korea by the end of this year.

The ministry said Kim also discussed Korean companies' participation in Oman's major plant construction projects, utilization of the country's ports as alternative logistics hub that can help vessels bypass the Strait of Hormuz, a critical Middle Eastern shipping route effectively closed due to the Iran war.

Kim addressed Korean companies' difficulties in transporting cargo to Saudi Arabia via Duqm port in Oman, including issues related to inspections and quarantine checks, asking for Oman's cooperation.

The two sides agreed to swiftly resume the long-stalled economic cooperation committee to continue discussions on pending issues, the ministry added.

"Oman is an important partner in the Middle East (for Korea) as the country has the geographical advantage of being located outside the Strait of Hormuz and has abundant energy resources," Kim said in a press release, vowing continued efforts to deepen cooperation between the two countries.