Two More South Korean Vessels Escape Strait of Hormuz, Three Remain

▲ The Universal Winner, the first South Korean oil tanker to escape the Strait of Hormuz

Two additional South Korean vessels that had been stranded in the Strait of Hormuz due to the Middle East conflict have successfully exited the strait.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced today (June 27) that "two 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."

There are four South Korean crew members on board these two ships.

None of the vessels are bound for South Korea.

As a result, there are currently three South Korean vessels remaining inside the Strait of Hormuz.

This includes the HMM Namu, which is currently undergoing repairs at the port of Dubai after being struck early last month.

The total number of South Korean crew members currently in the strait is 43, consisting of 13 on South Korean vessels and 30 on foreign-flagged ships.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries stated, "Through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we have provided diplomatic support for the passage of our vessels, while also supporting safe navigation by providing real-time monitoring and transit information while the ships were passing through."

The ministry added, "For vessels other than the one currently under repair, we plan to proceed with their passage in accordance with consultations with relevant countries and their own operational schedules, such as cargo loading."

A total of 26 South Korean vessels were stranded in the Strait of Hormuz after Iran blocked the strait due to the Middle East war at the end of February.

During the war, two ships were able to exit with the cooperation of Iran. Following the ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran, the remaining 24 vessels have been exiting the strait sequentially in accordance with the agreement between the two countries to reopen the waterway.

While the exodus of vessels from various countries stranded in the Strait of Hormuz continues, the situation remains unstable.

On June 26 (local time), the United States launched airstrikes against Iran in response to Iran's attack on a Singapore-flagged cargo ship passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

(Photo: Yonhap News)

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