The Strait of Hormuz is once again facing the threat of a blockade, casting uncertainty over the departure of two South Korean vessels currently remaining inside the strait.
According to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries on Sunday, July 12, there are currently two South Korean-flagged vessels remaining inside the Strait of Hormuz, including one that was struck in early May and is undergoing repairs at the Port of Dubai.
These vessels were scheduled to depart after the middle of this month as repairs were nearing completion, but the departure timeline has become difficult to predict following Iran's declaration to re-block the strait.
The other vessel is currently remaining inside the strait due to schedules such as cargo loading.
There are 7 South Korean crew members on board these two vessels, and when including those on foreign-flagged ships, the total number of South Korean crew members remaining in the strait reaches 17.
However, it has been determined that the South Korean crew members on foreign vessels are on ships that operate only within the strait, and there are no immediate plans for them to evacuate.
Previously, following the signing of a memorandum of understanding to end hostilities between the United States and Iran on June 14, 24 out of 26 South Korean vessels that had been trapped in the Strait of Hormuz were able to exit safely.
However, military tensions are rising again as the United States has launched military operations in response to recent attacks on merchant ships by Iran, and Iran has declared a re-blockade of the strait.
The government, having judged that the risks in the strait had not fully dissipated even after the agreement to end hostilities, had advised domestic shipping companies not to send vessels into the strait.
An official from the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries stated, "As our vessels remain inside the strait, we are maintaining communication channels and managing the situation in real-time to ensure safety."
(Photo: Yonhap News)