South Korea welcomes US-Iran ceasefire deal, seeks safe reopening of Strait of Hormuz

Lee welcomes US-Iran ceasefire deal, hopes for resumption of safe Hormuz shipping

SEOUL/ROME — President Lee Jae Myung on Monday welcomed a ceasefire deal reached between the United States and Iran, expressing hope it will help restore regional stability and allow vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to resume safe operations. In a post on X, Lee described the agreement as "an important step" toward resolving a situation the international community has long sought to address and praised U.S. President Donald Trump's leadership, as well as the diplomatic efforts of the parties involved and other relevant countries. "Through this agreement, I look forward to the swift restoration of peace and stability in the Middle East, and the establishment of a foundation for the safety and prosperity of the people of the region," Lee said in the post written while visiting Italy, part of his first European tour since taking office in June last year. He also expressed hope that global energy supplies will stabilize and that all vessels, including Korean ships and sailors affected by navigation restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz, will be able to safely resume operations as so

1 hour ago

Lee welcomes US-Iran ceasefire deal, hopes for resumption of safe Hormuz shipping

SEOUL/ROME — President Lee Jae Myung on Monday welcomed a ceasefire deal reached between the United States and Iran, expressing hope it will help restore regional stability and allow vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to resume safe operations. In a post on X, Lee described the agreement as "an important step" toward resolving a situation the international community has long sought to address and praised U.S. President Donald Trump's leadership, as well as the diplomatic efforts of the parties involved and other relevant countries. "Through this agreement, I look forward to the swift restoration of peace and stability in the Middle East, and the establishment of a foundation for the safety and prosperity of the people of the region," Lee said in the post written while visiting Italy, part of his first European tour since taking office in June last year. He also expressed hope that global energy supplies will stabilize and that all vessels, including South Korean ships and sailors affected by navigation restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz, will be able to safely resume operations

14 hours ago

Korea welcomes US-Iran peace deal, voices hope for safe Hormuz vessel passage

Korea on Monday welcomed a ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran aimed at ending their monthslong war, while voicing hope for the safe passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. "Our government welcomes the agreement reached between the U.S. and Iran, and the significant progress made toward restoring stability and peace in the region," foreign ministry spokesperson Park Il said in a statement. "We highly appreciate President Donald Trump's leadership that helped bring about the agreement, as well as the diplomatic efforts of the parties involved and relevant countries," he added. The spokesperson voiced hope that all vessels affected in the strait, including 24 Korean-linked vessels, will soon be able to resume safe operations. Seoul will continue to join international efforts to ensure freedom of navigation in the vital waterway, he added. Currently, 137 Korean sailors are still in the region after Iran blocked passage through the strategic waterway following U.S.-Israeli attacks in late February. Trump earlier said Washington and Tehran reached a peace deal, notin

17 hours ago

Korea eyes safe exit for 24 ships in Hormuz, weighs role in securing waterway

As the United States and Iran have reached a peace deal aimed at ending their war, South Korea is expected to put its diplomatic priority on securing the safe passage of 24 ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. President Donald Trump said Sunday (U.S. time) that the two sides had reached a peace agreement, with the strait set to reopen once the deal is formally signed Friday. The announcement followed months of hostilities that began with U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, and which effectively choked off the waterway. The 24 vessels, with a total of 137 Korean sailors onboard, have been pinned in ports across Qatar and the United Arab Emirates since the war shut down the waterway, one of the world's most critical shipping lanes for oil, fertilizer and other commodities. For South Korea, the closure hit hard as it depends on the strait for energy imports. Seoul has kept a back channel open with Tehran, pushing for secure safe passage for its vessels through a waterway thick with mines and military tension. The effort has been not without results. Last month, the HMM-operated U

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