Two South Korean vessels have exited the Strait of Hormuz following a cease-fire agreement between the United States and Iran to open the waterway.

This marks the first instance of South Korean ships leaving the Strait of Hormuz since the cease-fire agreement was reached.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries stated today (June 22) that "two vessels operated by a South Korean shipping company, which had been waiting inside the Strait of Hormuz, have passed through the strait and are currently sailing normally."

It is reported that while these vessels are operated by a South Korean company, there were no South Korean crew members on board, and their destination is not South Korea.

The Ministry added, "The vessels have not yet completely cleared the danger zone," and requested understanding, stating, "We cannot disclose specific information such as the vessel names, the shipping company, or details regarding their transit, in consideration of the safety of the crew and the position of the shipping company."

The departure of these vessels from the Strait of Hormuz follows the cease-fire agreement between the U.S. and Iran.

Article 5 of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the cease-fire stipulates that upon signing, Iran will take measures to allow vessels to transit the Strait of Hormuz without transit fees for 60 days.

Subsequently, the Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) of Iran began accepting applications for transit through the Strait of Hormuz, and shipping companies operating South Korean vessels stranded in the strait submitted their applications.

With these two South Korean vessels now having exited the Strait of Hormuz, the number of South Korean vessels remaining in the strait has decreased to 22.

When the strait was blockaded at the end of February, there were 26 South Korean vessels inside. However, one oil tanker and one liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier each managed to exit after consultations with the Iranian side, leaving 24 vessels at the time the cease-fire agreement was reached.

Currently, there are a total of 135 South Korean crew members within the Strait of Hormuz.

This figure includes 102 individuals aboard South Korean vessels and 33 aboard foreign vessels.

Following the U.S.-Iran cease-fire agreement, it is expected that South Korean vessels will continue to exit the strait sequentially, starting with the two that departed this time.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries emphasized, "We are supporting safe operations by providing information related to transit through the strait and conducting real-time monitoring to ensure the safe passage of our vessels."

Uncertainties remain as the situation in the Middle East continues to be unstable.

On the 20th, the Iranian military announced it would blockade the Strait of Hormuz again, citing Israel's airstrikes in southern Lebanon.

Follow-up negotiations for the cease-fire agreement are also facing friction in various areas.

(Photo: Yonhap News)