Group 1 - South Korea has committed to purchasing $100 billion worth of U.S. energy products as part of a trade agreement to mitigate the impact of a 15% tariff imposed by the U.S. on Korean imports [3][4] - The actual implementation of this energy agreement faces significant challenges, as South Korean refiners have already been gradually shifting towards U.S. crude oil sources over the years [4][5] - Data from Kpler indicates that imports of WTI Midland crude oil from the U.S. to South Korea have increased from 283,000 barrels per day in 2020 to 465,000 barrels per day projected for 2025, but total crude oil imports remain stable at 2.8 to 3 million barrels per day [4][5] Group 2 - The South Korean refining system is primarily designed to process heavier crude oils from the Middle East, making a significant shift to U.S. light crude oil challenging without impacting operational efficiency and profitability [5][6] - Major South Korean refineries, such as SK Energy's Ulsan refinery, are blending WTI with heavier crude oils from Iraq, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia to maintain full production capacity [5][6] - The current strategy for South Korea involves marginally increasing U.S. crude oil imports while maintaining traditional reliance on heavier crude from the Persian Gulf, creating a dilemma between satisfying U.S. demands and preserving the domestic energy system [6][7]