SEOUL – The South Korean government announced Wednesday it will work urgently to secure safe passage for dozens of its commercial vessels currently stuck in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, following a temporary ceasefire between the United States and Iran.
Officials from the presidential office stated the administration will make every effort to get South Korean ships moving through the waterway as quickly as possible, taking advantage of the two-week truce between Washington and Tehran.
The government plans to work closely with shipping companies while stepping up diplomatic communications with relevant nations to clear the way for vessel transit, according to reports from Seoul.
South Korea’s maritime ministry released a statement Wednesday confirming that officials met with domestic shipping firms to discuss strategies for moving their ships through the strait safely.
Despite the ceasefire opportunity, maritime authorities are maintaining their current travel advisory warning ships to stay away from the strait area due to ongoing security concerns in the region. However, the ministry pledged complete assistance for the 26 South Korean-flagged ships currently stranded in the waterway.
A government official in Seoul confirmed to Reuters that the country intends to evacuate all vessels during the temporary two-week ceasefire window.
