The National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee on April 8 discuss the situation in the Middle East and related cooperation with the ambassadors of the six member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council and Jordan.

By Kim Seon Ah

Ambassadors from seven Middle Eastern countries on April 7 reaffirmed the commitment of their governments to "prioritize the supply of crude oil from the Middle East to Korea" in a meeting with the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee.

At the legislative building in Seoul's Yeongdeungpo-gu District, the meeting was attended by the six member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) -- Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain -- and Jordan.

Rep. Kim Seok-ki, who chairs the committee, and other standing committee members discussed energy security and pending issues with the diplomats.

The lawmaker stressed that the situation in the Middle East is directly related to Korea's economy, supply chains and energy security and mentioned the need to ensure freedom to navigate the Strait of Hormuz, as well as maintain regional peace and stability.

He requested the safety of about 10,000 Korean expats living in GCC states, while thanking the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar for evacuating Korean nationals at the onset of the war in the Middle East. 

The ambassadors expressed concern over the negative effects of Iran's threatened blockade of the strait on the global economy, calling it a violation of international law.

All the participants agreed to maintain cooperation in crude oil supply and raise comprehensive collaboration, including parliamentary exchanges, after the conflict ends.

sofiakim218@korea.kr