President Lee reassures public over oil prices amid escalating Middle East tensions

President Lee Jae Myung reassured Koreans on Saturday that the government is taking measures to stabilize oil prices amid rising global crude prices driven by tensions in the Middle East. He said Korea has diversified crude oil imports, reducing the Middle East share from about 70 percent to 50 percent, and cited oil price caps, export controls and a strategic oil reserve swap system. He also said the government will crack down on oil hoarding and price collusion while compensating local refiners for losses. Lee said, You don’t have to worry about oil prices at all.

The remarks were posted on the social media platform X on Saturday.

Lee said the Middle East share of Korea’s crude oil imports fell from about 70 percent to 50 percent.

He cited oil price caps, export controls and a strategic oil reserve swap system as part of the response.

The government plans to crack down on oil hoarding and price collusion while compensating local refiners for losses from price stabilization measures.

Published Sep 12, 2026 6:46 pm KST

President Lee Jae Myung, center, attends a meeting with senior aides at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, Friday. Yonhap

President Lee Jae Myung reassured Koreans on Saturday that the government is taking all necessary measures to stabilize oil prices amid a surge in global crude prices caused by escalating tensions in the Middle East.

In a post on the social media platform X, Lee highlighted the government's efforts to diversify crude oil imports to reduce the country's reliance on the Middle East, with the region's share of imports falling from about 70 percent to 50 percent.

He also cited measures including oil price caps, export controls and a strategic oil reserve swap system.

Lee reaffirmed the government's commitment to cracking down on oil hoarding and price collusion, while compensating local refiners for losses stemming from government price stabilization measures.

"You don't have to worry about oil prices at all," Lee wrote.

The remarks came as disruptions in the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz fueled concerns over global energy supplies, pushing oil prices back above $100 per barrel.

Adding to the supply concerns, Saudi Arabia shut down its East-West pipeline after the key oil conduit came under aerial attack amid the widening conflict, raising fears of further increases in energy prices.

韩国总统李在明周六向韩国民众保证，政府正在采取措施稳定油价，以应对受中东紧张局势影响而上涨的全球原油价格。他表示，韩国已实现原油进口多元化，将中东进口比例从约70%降至50%，并列举了油价上限、出口管制和战略石油储备互换制度等措施。他还表示，政府将严厉打击石油囤积和价格操纵行为，并对国内炼油企业的损失进行补偿。李在明说：“大家完全不必担心油价。”

这些言论于周六发布在社交媒体平台 X 上。

李表示，韩国原油进口中来自中东的份额从约70%下降到50%。

他列举了石油价格上限、出口管制和战略石油储备互换制度作为应对措施的一部分。

政府计划严厉打击石油囤积和价格操纵行为，同时补偿当地炼油企业因价格稳定措施而遭受的损失。

发布于2026年9月12日 下午6:46（韩国标准时间）

周五，韩国总统李在明（中）在首尔青瓦台与高级幕僚会面。（韩联社）

周六，韩国总统李在明向韩国民众保证，由于中东紧张局势升级导致全球原油价格飙升，政府正在采取一切必要措施稳定油价。

李在社交媒体平台 X 上发帖强调了政府为实现原油进口多元化、减少对中东的依赖所做的努力，该地区原油进口份额已从约 70% 下降到 50%。

他还列举了包括石油价格上限、出口管制和战略石油储备互换制度在内的措施。

李重申了政府打击囤积石油和串通压价的决心，同时补偿当地炼油商因政府价格稳定措施而遭受的损失。

“你完全不必担心油价，”李写道。

此前，红海和霍尔木兹海峡的航运中断加剧了人们对全球能源供应的担忧，导致油价回升至每桶 100 美元以上。

雪上加霜的是，沙特阿拉伯在冲突扩大之际，其重要的输油管道——东西输油管道遭到空袭后关闭，这加剧了人们对能源价格进一步上涨的担忧。