Media: Military experts from the Strait of Hormuz coalition to meet in London on April 7
¬ South Korean media: Should advance long-term initiative of "reducing dependence on the Strait of Hormuz"
¬ Hungarian Prime Minister Orbán: Debate between supporters and opponents of sanctions against Russia is unfolding across Europe
¬ Indonesia considering possibility of importing oil from Russia
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Sputnik News, London, April 6 — According to sources cited by the U.S. political news website Politico, representatives of the military wing of the coalition of nations seeking to open the Strait of Hormuz are scheduled to hold a meeting in London on April 7.
The report states: "Military strategists plan to meet this week to discuss realistic measures for restoring security in the Strait of Hormuz. The meeting will take place tomorrow in London."
On April 2, foreign ministers of the coalition's participating countries held an online meeting chaired by British Foreign Secretary David Lammy. After the meeting, the countries expressed their intention to consider pressure measures against Iran, including imposing sanctions.
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South Korea held an emergency video conference with foreign ministers from over 40 countries including the UK, France, and Canada to discuss strategies for coping with the potential long-term blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. With the blockade already affecting energy supplies such as crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG), as well as essential raw materials for manufacturing like naphtha and helium, and even threatening food security, nations are now beginning to develop self-reliance measures. Globally, about one-third of nitrogen fertilizer feedstock—urea—is transported through the Strait of Hormuz; if this route were severed, shortages of fertilizers could severely impact agricultural production.
The Middle East conflict is now moving toward unpredictable and unforeseeable directions. U.S. President Trump declared that "we are only 48 hours away from hell," signaling plans to bomb civilian infrastructure including nuclear power plants and bridges. In response, Iran has adopted a strategy of prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz combined with selective passage. Israel is attacking Iran’s energy facilities and the Bushehr nuclear power plant, while major countries including European nations and Japan are actively seeking ways to secure their own survival.
Even after the war ends, risks in the Middle East will be unlikely to return to normal. Iran has upgraded its asymmetric warfare capabilities using low-cost drones, mines, and fast boats, developing a strategic approach that leverages low cost and high efficiency to undermine the overwhelming naval superiority of the United States and Western powers. They have even targeted data centers and desalination plants in neighboring countries to maximize economic disruption. With the involvement of groups such as the Houthi rebels, the Strait of Hormuz has become a strategic chokepoint capable of shaking the global economy at any moment.
For South Korea, which heavily relies on the Strait of Hormuz, it is imperative to comprehensively restructure its supply chain system to prepare for worst-case scenarios of prolonged conflict and the normalization of energy crises. Given that more than 70% of South Korea’s crude oil and naphtha imports depend on the Strait, short-term reduction of reliance is unfeasible. However, the country must establish a recovery strategy focused on rapidly diversifying supply chains to shift toward alternative import sources. In the case of LNG, while Qatar accounted for up to 35% of South Korea’s LNG imports a decade ago, due to supply chain diversification into Australia, the U.S., and Southeast Asia, Qatar’s share has now dropped to 15%.
To overcome the limitation of refineries adapted primarily to Middle Eastern medium crude oil, investment should be accelerated in efficient refining technologies for American and Russian crude oils. For resources critical to semiconductor processes such as helium, national stockpiles urgently need expansion. In an era where geopolitical risks are becoming normalized, identifying the “safest sources” rather than merely the “cheapest sources” has become central to national competitiveness. It is essential to recognize the past weaknesses of supply chains that focused solely on economics and to develop countermeasures at the level of national security.
Source: Chosun Ilbo
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Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said that debate over sanctions against Russian energy is currently taking place across Europe amid the context of the Middle East conflict.
Orbán made the remarks during a press conference at the "TurkStream" natural gas pipeline station located on the border between Hungary and Serbia, stating: "A major debate is underway: given the global energy crisis triggered by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, should we lift sanctions on Russian energy, suspend all sanctions and restrictions, and begin importing as much oil and gas as possible?"
He emphasized Hungary’s support for lifting sanctions.
He added that those holding opposing views argue that sanctions do not need to be lifted despite energy supply challenges, and that new restrictions on Russian energy must still be pursued, placing the Ukraine conflict above Europe’s energy crisis.
Orbán previously stated that if Europe faces a global fuel shortage in the future, it would not survive without Russian oil.
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Sputnik News, Jakarta, April 6 — Indonesian Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia said Indonesia is considering the possibility of importing oil from multiple countries, including Russia.
Lahadalia told reporters in Jakarta: "If we decide to import oil from Russia, I will certainly inform you."
He noted that due to instability in global markets, if domestic fuel supply can be secured, the Indonesian government is willing to purchase oil from "any country."
On April 1, Russian Ambassador to Indonesia Tolchenov stated that Moscow is open to supplying oil to Indonesia, given the rise in global oil prices caused by the situation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1861718503975948/
Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author