Two South Korean-operated vessels have left the Strait of Hormuz following the recent ceasefire deal between the United States and Iran, reopening the crucial waterway, as confirmed by the maritime ministry. The vessels are currently sailing through the strait, although they have not completely navigated the high-risk section yet. None of the ships carry South Korean crew members and are not heading towards South Korea, with specific details undisclosed for safety reasons.
Under the terms of the ceasefire pact with the US, Iran has permitted ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz without any charges for a 60-day period after the agreement was signed. The departure of these two vessels has reduced the count of South Korean-affiliated ships in the strait to 22. Additionally, there are still 135 South Korean sailors in the Persian Gulf, with 102 on South Korean-operated vessels and 33 on foreign-flagged ships.
The South Korean government has set up a task force to assess the cooperation requirements of individual countries in the Middle East to aid South Korean firms in participating in post-conflict reconstruction endeavors, stated Foreign Minister Cho Hyun. Cho emphasized the establishment of the task force to enhance economic collaboration with the Middle East and support South Korean companies in the region. He highlighted that South Korea’s responses during the crisis have strengthened the perception of the country as a dependable partner in challenging times for Middle Eastern nations.
The recent memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between the United States and Iran aims to conclude their long-standing conflict by extending the ceasefire for an additional 60 days. This period will be utilized for negotiations addressing nuclear and other pertinent issues to achieve a final peace agreement.
