S. Korea Advises Ships to Avoid Red Sea Amid Houthi Attacks

South Korea has recommended that its maritime shipping companies change their routes to avoid navigating through the Red Sea due to heightened Houthi attacks on commercial vessels.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries held a meeting in Seoul yesterday to assess the status of ships near the Red Sea, discussing security measures and hearing the concerns of local companies.

Minister of Oceans Jo Seoung-Hwan stated, "We request a change in routes until the situation improves for the safety of our ships and citizens."

He emphasized that the government would do everything in its power to ensure the safe maritime navigation of its vessels through close consultation between relevant government agencies and the maritime shipping industry.

Earlier, Nikolai Korchunov, Russia's Ambassador for Special Missions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, suggested that the Northern Sea Route could secure safe navigation for commercial ships concerned about crossing the Red Sea.

The Northern Sea Route, which spans over 3,000 nautical miles (5,556 kilometers), connects the Barents Sea and the Bering Strait.

It is the shortest route between Europe and Asia and the shortest maritime route between the Far East and the European part of Russia.

In recent weeks, the Houthi rebels have intensified their attacks near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a strategically important maritime passage, against ships heading to Israel or carrying any type of goods bound for Tel Aviv, amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza.