As tensions in the Middle East reached a boiling point this week, South Korea scrambled to protect its citizens and secure vital energy supplies, launching an unprecedented repatriation and emergency oil import operation. According to Yonhap News Agency and other leading Korean outlets, the government’s swift, multi-pronged response was prompted by a sharp escalation in regional instability that left thousands of South Koreans stranded and threatened the nation’s energy security.
On March 6, 2026, the crisis came to a head as approximately 18,000 South Korean nationals remained in 14 Middle Eastern countries, with 4,900 classified as short-term residents. Of particular concern were the 3,500 individuals in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar, who found themselves waiting anxiously for repatriation after commercial flights were abruptly canceled amid the turmoil. The government’s response was both immediate and far-reaching.
Presidential Secretary Kang Hoon-sik addressed the nation from the Blue House, announcing, “A large Emirates passenger plane carrying our nationals departed Dubai and is expected to arrive at Incheon Airport at about 7:30 PM this evening.” His statement, reported by Hankyoreh, underscored the urgency and scale of the operation. Kang went on to explain that the safe return of South Koreans had been secured through direct negotiations with Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, the influential administrative chief of Abu Dhabi. “UAE has made a special decision to support Korea despite the difficult situation they are facing due to regional tensions,” Kang emphasized, highlighting the diplomatic cooperation at play.
But the government didn’t stop at a single flight. From March 7, 2026, Etihad Airways flights from Abu Dhabi to Korea are set to resume, and Korean Air will deploy additional charter flights to expedite the repatriation process. As Foreign Minister Cho Hyun explained during a National Assembly committee meeting, “UAE’s civil aviation flights to Incheon will operate once daily. Charter flights by Korean Air are also being prepared to assist repatriation.” These efforts were further bolstered by the redeployment of the rapid response team, initially stationed in Oman, to the UAE, as the focus of evacuation shifted with changing circumstances.
Behind the scenes, the government was also grappling with a looming energy crisis. The complete blockade of the Strait of Hormuz—a crucial maritime chokepoint through which 70% of South Korea’s imported crude oil flows—forced authorities to issue a resource security crisis alert at 3 PM on March 5, 2026. President Lee Jae-myung personally instructed officials to negotiate with UAE’s Khaldoon, resulting in a landmark agreement: the emergency import of more than 6 million barrels of crude oil.
“We have secured the urgent import of over 6 million barrels of crude oil, which is more than twice our daily consumption,” Kang Hoon-sik announced, as reported by Newsis. He detailed the logistics: two Korean-flagged oil tankers, each capable of carrying 2 million barrels, would immediately dock at alternative UAE ports that do not require passage through the now-blocked Strait of Hormuz. In addition, approximately 4 million barrels of crude oil stored by the UAE’s national oil company would be loaded onto these tankers for prompt return to South Korea.
The UAE also pledged that 2 million barrels from jointly stored reserves could be supplied to South Korea upon request—a gesture that Kang described as “a promise that, if we want, we can access at any time.” The scale of the emergency oil import was not lost on government officials. “This emergency oil import will stabilize our energy supply and contribute to calming the excessively reactive oil prices,” Kang declared, adding that the operation was “a result of strategic economic cooperation between the two countries.”
For South Korea, the crisis underscored the intricate link between security and energy. Kang drew a vivid parallel, stating, “Just as our Cheongung air defense system protects UAE’s security, UAE oil contributes to our energy security.” The government’s efforts weren’t limited to oil and evacuation; discussions on defense cooperation—including air defense weapons—were ongoing with the UAE as part of broader security support, reflecting an increasingly intertwined relationship between the two nations.
The repatriation effort itself was a logistical feat. According to Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, “We are assessing the number of our nationals in the Middle East who wish to return, and it is clear that there are enough to require charter flights.” The government’s rapid response team was tasked with contacting every long-term resident and traveler, ensuring no one was left behind. “We have succeeded in reaching all long-term residents by phone and have contacted all travelers,” Cho stated. Prioritization for charter flight boarding was being discussed, with comprehensive measures to ensure the safe and orderly return of South Koreans from the region.
Initially, plans were in place to send a charter flight to Muscat, Oman, to facilitate evacuation via land routes. However, with the UAE’s agreement to accept Korean Air charters, the plan was revised, and round-trip flights between the UAE and Korea became the focus. This flexibility and rapid adaptation were hallmarks of the government’s crisis response, as officials worked around the clock to navigate a rapidly evolving situation.
Meanwhile, the government kept a close eye on domestic oil prices, which had spiked in response to the crisis. Kang acknowledged public frustration, noting, “As soon as oil prices rose, gasoline prices went up immediately, causing inconvenience for citizens.” Relevant ministries convened to devise strategies to mitigate the impact on consumers and stabilize the domestic market.
Amidst the chaos, questions arose about the possible deployment of US forces stationed in Korea, given the escalating tensions in the Middle East. Kang addressed these concerns, stating, “Close consultations between the US and South Korea regarding US forces stationed in Korea are ongoing and will continue.” The statement, reported by Newsis, was a reminder of the broader security implications of the crisis and the importance of international partnerships in times of uncertainty.
As the first repatriation flights touched down at Incheon Airport and oil tankers set sail for Korean shores, the government’s coordinated response offered a measure of reassurance to a nation on edge. The crisis may not be over, but for thousands of South Koreans finally returning home—and for a country that relies so heavily on stable energy supplies—the past week has been a testament to the power of swift diplomacy, strategic alliances, and the unyielding commitment to protecting citizens abroad.