South Korea is the first major consumer of Iranian oil in Asia to suspend all imports.

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South Korea is the first major Asian importer of Iranian oil to stop imports

Seoul's decision follows an insurance ban by the EU on tankers carrying Iran's crude

Western powers are using sanctions to pressure Tehran over its nuclear program

Seoul, South Korea CNN  — 

South Korea said Tuesday that it would suspend all Iranian oil imports from the start of July in response to a European Union insurance ban on tankers carrying crude from Iran.

The EU and United States have been widening sanctions against Iran recently to put pressure on Tehran to curtail its nuclear program.

Western powers say they believe the program is intended to build nuclear weapons, but Iran insists it is for peaceful purposes.

South Korea is the first major consumer of Iranian oil in Asia to suspend all imports. In 2010, it was the fourth biggest importer of Iranian oil, according to an official from the South Korean Knowledge Economy Ministry. Figures for 2011 aren’t yet available, the official said.

The Knowledge Economy Ministry said in a statement Tuesday that it relies heavily on European companies for insurance of its oil imports and has sent representatives to the EU to make the case for continuing insurance coverage.

“The government has been putting contingency plans in place in case Iranian oil imports would be stopped,” the statement said. Alternative supplies are being sourced from Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Kuwait.

South Korea already lowered its Iranian oil imports by 40% between January and May to try to lessen its dependence on them, according to government figures.

There was no immediate reaction from Iran.

CNN’s K.J. Kwon contributed to this report.