[Anchor]
Following the outbreak of war in the Middle East, eight more South Korean vessels that had been stranded in the Strait of Hormuz for approximately four months have successfully passed through the strait. There are 37 South Korean crew members aboard these ships, and it is reported that one of the vessels is headed to South Korea.
Reporter Lee Tae-kwon has the story.
[Reporter]
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced that eight additional vessels operated by South Korean shipping companies, which had been waiting inside the Strait of Hormuz, have passed through the strait and are now sailing normally.
Previously, the ministry reported that four and five South Korean vessels passed through the Strait of Hormuz on the 24th and 25th, respectively, and today, June 26, an additional eight vessels have cleared the area.
Among the vessels that passed through today, one is bound for South Korea, while the others are headed to third countries.
It has been confirmed that a total of 37 South Korean crew members are aboard these ships.
As a result, the number of South Korean vessels remaining inside the Strait of Hormuz has decreased to five.
This figure includes the HMM Namu, which was towed to the port of Dubai for repairs after being struck last month.
There are currently 47 South Korean crew members remaining within the strait, including 30 who are aboard foreign-flagged vessels.
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries stated that it has provided diplomatic support through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to facilitate the passage of the vessels, while also supporting safe navigation by providing real-time monitoring and transit information while the ships were in transit.
The ministry further explained that the remaining vessels inside the strait also plan to pass through according to their own navigation schedules, such as cargo loading and consultations with relevant countries, adding that it will continue to assist shipping companies in establishing their own navigation plans by providing trends and information related to transit.
(Video Editing: Lee Seung-yeol)
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