"Standby in Nearby Waters Until Situation Stabilizes"... Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries Advises Refraining from Sailing in Strait of Hormuz [US-Iran War]

37 Korean Vessels Operating in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman
VHF Blockade Warning Broadcasts Presumed from Iranian Authorities Confirmed

As tensions have escalated in Middle Eastern waters due to airstrikes by the United States and Israel on Iran, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has advised Korean shipping companies operating near the Strait of Hormuz to refrain from sailing in the area.

Sungbum Kim, Acting Minister of Oceans and Fisheries. Photo by Yonhap News.

On March 1, Sungbum Kim, Acting Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, convened an emergency inspection meeting to assess the safety management of Korean vessels. The meeting was held in response to heightened concerns over a possible blockade of the Strait of Hormuz—a key global oil transport route—following the death of Iran's Supreme Leader in a U.S. and Israeli attack on February 28.

As of 10 a.m. that day, a total of 37 Korean vessels were confirmed to be operating in the waters near the Strait of Hormuz, including the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. A ministry official stated, "We have confirmed that VHF broadcasts warning of a blockade—presumed to be transmitted by Iranian authorities—are being sent to vessels near the Strait of Hormuz." As of now, there have been no reports of damage to Korean ships or crew members.

Immediately after the meeting, the ministry issued an official notice to ships and shipping companies operating in the area, advising them to refrain from sailing. While no formal blockade measures have been implemented yet, this is a preemptive response given the urgency of the situation. As a result, relevant vessels will remain on standby in nearby waters until the situation stabilizes.

As of last year, 69.1% of South Korea's crude oil imports came from the Middle East, and over 95% of those shipments passed through the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting the nation's heavy reliance on this route.

Acting Minister Kim emphasized, "We are maintaining a 24-hour emergency response system to ensure the safety of our seafarers and vessels, and we will thoroughly prepare for prolonged standby situations, considering the limited stockpiles of food and other essential supplies."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.