South Korea is preparing for "worst-case scenarios" from the Middle East conflict, with Prime Minister Kim Min-seok stating that the government must prepare for a prolonged situation. The government plans to establish an emergency economic task force led by Kim to coordinate cross-ministerial efforts. The move follows President Lee Jae Myung's instruction to activate a preemptive emergency response system. South Korea imports around 70% of its crude oil and 20% of liquefied natural gas from the Mideast, making it particularly vulnerable to prolonged disruptions in energy flows. The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, has been effectively closed by Iran since the war began on Feb. 28.