According to preliminary figures, South Korea relied on imports for around ** percent of its energy in 2023. This would be a slight decline from the previous year. Figures have steadily declined in the past years as the country has continued attempting to diversify and produce energy domestically to meet its climbing energy demand.Â
Countries of origin for crude oil
With such a high reliance on imports, South Korea is sensitive to fluctuations in global oil and gas prices. Large changes in the worldwide oil and gas industry in led South Korea to diversify its sources of imported fuel to increase its energy security. Notably, Middle Eastern countries such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates have become attractive countries of origin for crude oil after embargos were placed on Russia.
Coal and LNG imports
In addition to crude oil, South Korea imports significant quantities of other fossil fuels, such as coal and liquified natural gas (LNG). Indeed, the nation is one of the largest importers of LNG in the world alongside Japan. There have been efforts to reduce emissions and develop cleaner sources of energy, with the government aiming to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Imports of coal and LNG have seen a decrease from the previous year.
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Korea Energy Economics Institute. (February 6, 2025). Ratio of overseas energy dependence in South Korea from 2014 to 2023 [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ. Retrieved July 29, 2026, from /statistics/1370949/south-korea-overseas-energy-dependence-ratio/
Korea Energy Economics Institute. "Ratio of overseas energy dependence in South Korea from 2014 to 2023." Chart. February 6, 2025. ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ. Accessed July 29, 2026. /statistics/1370949/south-korea-overseas-energy-dependence-ratio/
Korea Energy Economics Institute. (2025). Ratio of overseas energy dependence in South Korea from 2014 to 2023. ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 29, 2026. /statistics/1370949/south-korea-overseas-energy-dependence-ratio/
Korea Energy Economics Institute. "Ratio of Overseas Energy Dependence in South Korea from 2014 to 2023." ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ Inc., 6 Feb 2025, /statistics/1370949/south-korea-overseas-energy-dependence-ratio/
Korea Energy Economics Institute, Ratio of overseas energy dependence in South Korea from 2014 to 2023 ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ, /statistics/1370949/south-korea-overseas-energy-dependence-ratio/ (last visited July 29, 2026)
Ratio of overseas energy dependence in South Korea from 2014 to 2023 [Graph], Korea Energy Economics Institute, February 6, 2025. [Online]. Available: /statistics/1370949/south-korea-overseas-energy-dependence-ratio/