South Korea and Australia have agreed to deepen cooperation to strengthen the resilience of energy supply chains, Seoul’s Foreign Ministry said on Thursday. The move aims to ensure stable, safe and reliable access to key energy resources, including diesel and liquefied natural gas (LNG).
The commitment was formalised in a Joint Statement on Energy Resource Security during Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong’s visit to Seoul, part of a broader regional tour that includes Japan and China. Both countries pledged to work “preemptively” to reinforce energy security amid rising global uncertainties.
The discussions come against the backdrop of ongoing disruptions linked to tensions in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route. Wong noted that Asian economies have been disproportionately affected by the crisis.
South Korea relies heavily on Australia for energy imports, with Canberra serving as its largest supplier of LNG. In turn, South Korea is a key partner for Australia, particularly in refined fuels such as diesel and jet fuel.
Wong emphasised the mutual dependence between the two nations, underscoring Australia’s role as a reliable exporter of energy, food and other essential commodities. The agreement signals closer coordination between the partners to safeguard supply amid volatile global energy markets.