A urea shortage has shaken South Korea because of its heavy reliance on Chinese imports. South Koreans have become increasingly aware of the risk of a sudden shortage or urea, needed as an additive to diesel fuel, which powers the nation’s transport, logistics, and manufacturing sectors. There are 1,850 types of urea-like commodities that South Korea imports from China.
Urea exports to South Korea were suspended on Oct. 15 because of a shortage of coal in China. South Korea imports 97 percent of its urea from China, and is now experiencing a serious shortage of urea for vehicles. Automotive urea is the main component of diesel exhaust fluid (DEF), an additive used in diesel vehicles and factories to cut emissions. Without it, diesel vehicles will not be able to start.
