Oman promises help on oil

The Sultan of Oman said Saturday he would help Korea as much as possible if the country faces difficulties in procuring oil after reducing imports from Iran.

Korean Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik visited Muscat, Oman on his way to the World Future Energy Summit that begins today in Abu Dhabi, and Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said told him he would help Korea in terms of oil supply.

Kim also met Fahd Bin Mohammad Al Said, Oman’s deputy prime minister for cabinet affairs.

Kim made the visit as the Korean government tries to figure out how to reduce oil imports from Iran as part of international sanctions directed at the country’s nuclear weapons program.

If Korea participates in the sanctions and reduces oil imports from Iran, it needs to find alternative sources. The Korean media is watching Kim’s trip closely, seeing it as a shopping trip for alternative oil suppliers.

The Sultan’s remark came after Kim’s meeting with the deputy prime minister. Kim asked for help in case Korea faces difficultly in procuring oil.

Kim said Oman expressed concern over Iran’s threat to close the Strait of Hormuz, which is between the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf. Iran lies on the north coast, while the United Arab Emirates and the Musandam Peninsula, an exclave of Oman, are on the south coast.

In an interview with the press in Oman, Kim said, “We agreed on the point that closing the strait is not helpful to anyone.”

By Limb Jae-un [jbiz91@joongang.co.kr ]