South Korea's prime minister has asked the UAE to help supply crude oil for its strategic stockpile, a member of a visiting South Korean delegation said.

"South Korea asked the UAE to build a strategic stockpile of crude oil in Korea," the delegate said, adding that UAE officials said they would study the request.
South Korean Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan discussed the proposal in the capital Abu Dhabi in meetings with UAE Energy Minister Mohammed Al Hamli and the head of state oil firm Abu Dhabi National Oil Co (Adnoc), Yousef Omair Bin Yousef.
In September, South Korea said it would look to seal more international joint stockpiling agreements. Deputy Energy Minister Oh Young-ho had said Saudi Arabia was one of two states with whom South Korea was discussing possible joint stockpiling.
Seoul already has similar deals with Algeria and Norway.
A joint oil-stockpiling deal between Opec producers and major consuming nations would give producers like those in the Gulf – located at least a month's journey away from key markets – an easy, quick and profitable way to address any shortages.
Consumer governments would buy rights to use the oil in emergencies, retaining the security they demand to head off any sudden supply outages, sources say.
Nearly 80 per cent of South Korea's crude oil supply is sourced from the Middle East, the sources added.