[Anchor]

South Korean vessels that had been stranded in the Strait of Hormuz are leaving one after another following the ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran. With four additional South Korean ships passing through the strait overnight, the number of remaining South Korean vessels in the area has decreased to 18.

Jeong Seong-jin reports.

[Reporter]

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced that four South Korean vessels, which had been waiting inside the Strait of Hormuz, have successfully passed through the strait and are now sailing normally.

This marks the second group of South Korean ships to depart following the ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and Iran.

This follows the successful passage of two South Korean vessels on June 22, the first to do so after the ceasefire agreement, bringing the total number of ships that have successfully transited to six.

Among the four vessels, one oil tanker is headed to South Korea, carrying 2 million barrels of crude oil and is expected to arrive at Yeosu Port in mid-July.

The remaining vessels, including container ships, are continuing to their respective destinations in other countries.

There are 26 South Korean crew members on board these vessels, and their health is reported to be generally good.

Since the outbreak of war between the U.S. and Iran at the end of February, 26 South Korean vessels had been stranded inside the Strait of Hormuz.

Following the departure of one oil tanker last month and one LNG carrier earlier this month—both before the ceasefire—and the subsequent passage of six more ships after the agreement, 18 vessels now remain in the Strait of Hormuz.

The number of isolated South Korean crew members has also decreased to 108 in total, with 75 on South Korean vessels and 33 on foreign-flagged ships.

Most of the stranded vessels have already submitted transit applications to the Iranian government and are expected to leave the strait sequentially as they receive clearance from Iranian authorities.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries stated that it is providing information on transit through the strait and conducting real-time monitoring to support the safe navigation of the 18 remaining South Korean vessels.

(Video Editing: Jeong Yong-hwa)