South Korea is reviewing its position on joining a US-led maritime operation in the Strait of Hormuz, following a recent attack on one of its vessels and a direct call from Washington to support efforts to secure the strategic waterway.
Seoul’s Foreign Ministry confirmed Tuesday that a formal assessment is under way after US President Donald Trump urged South Korea to participate in operations aimed at escorting ships through the vital shipping corridor.
The move comes after an explosion and fire struck a South Korean-operated cargo vessel earlier this week in the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy route that has been effectively disrupted amid escalating tensions in the Middle East since late February.
Authorities said all 24 crew members aboard the affected vessel, including six South Koreans, were unharmed.
South Korea’s presidential office held an emergency meeting to evaluate the situation, attended by senior officials, as security concerns over maritime routes intensify.
The Defense Ministry stated that no immediate decision has been made, emphasizing that any shift in policy will be based on international law, the safety of global shipping lanes, the country’s alliance with the US, and broader security considerations on the Korean Peninsula.
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