South Korea said Tuesday it will “review its position” on joining US operations in the Strait of Hormuz after President Donald Trump urged Seoul to take part following an apparent Iranian attack on one of its ships.
An explosion and fire were reported on a South Korean cargo vessel on Monday in the key waterway, which has been effectively blocked since the Mideast war erupted on February 28.
South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said Tuesday that all 24 crew members aboard the stricken HMM Namu — including six South Korean nationals — were unharmed.
Trump said the incident should prompt South Korea to join American efforts to guide stranded ships through the strait, a major artery for the fuel exports that Seoul relies on.
On Tuesday, South Korea’s Defense Ministry said it would “carefully review our position”, but did not commit to any change.
Seoul would consider its stance based on international law, the safety of international maritime routes, its alliance with the United States, and the security situation on the Korean peninsula, the ministry said.
Meanwhile, Denmark’s freight giant Maersk said on Tuesday that one of its ships has successfully sailed through the Strait of Hormuz under US escort.
The ship, US-flagged Alliance Fairfax, had been stuck in the Gulf since the war erupted in February and was “offered the opportunity” to leave accompanied by the US military.
“The vessel subsequently exited the Persian Gulf accompanied by US military assets” on May 4, the company said in a statement.
“The transit was completed without incident, and all crew members are safe and unharmed.” (AFP)
