SEOUL, March 5 (Xinhua) -- The South Korean government on Thursday issued a precautionary alert under its resource security monitoring system, citing concerns that escalating tensions in the Middle East could disrupt global energy supplies.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources issued a "concern" level alert for crude oil and gas, saying that the move is a precautionary step aimed at strengthening monitoring and preparedness, particularly as South Korea relies heavily on imported oil and gas from the Middle East.

Officials noted that there has been no immediate disruption to energy imports, but the government will closely track developments in the region and coordinate with relevant agencies and companies.

The alert is intended to enable an early response if instability in the Middle East affects shipping routes or energy markets, said the ministry. ■