Wi Seong-nak: "U.S. 'Project Freedom' Suspended... No Further Need to Consider Participation"

Director of the National Security Office, Wi Seongrak, stated on the 6th that the so-called "Project Freedom" proposed by the United States regarding navigation in the Strait of Hormuz "no longer requires consideration as the operation has ended."

Ye Seongrak, Director of the National Security Office, is explaining President Lee Jae-myung's overseas trip schedule at the Blue House press conference hall on April 16, 2026. Photo by Blue House Press Photographers Team, Yonhap News Agency

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At a press briefing held at Chunchugwan that day, Director Wi said, "We had been reviewing the maritime freedom initiative and were also planning to consider Project Freedom. However, this morning, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that, in consideration of progress toward a final agreement with Iran, the maritime blockade would be maintained, but Project Freedom would be temporarily suspended." He added that this development meant further review was unnecessary.

However, with regard to the separate "Maritime Freedom Initiative" proposed by the United States, Director Wi commented, "We are comprehensively considering various factors, including our fundamental position on the strait, readiness posture for the Korean Peninsula, and domestic legal procedures." He continued, "The safety of international maritime routes and the freedom of navigation are extremely important to us. We are reviewing international efforts for such freedom of navigation and intend to participate and cooperate as needed." He further explained, "On that premise, we have already taken part in the UK and France initiatives, as well as the United Nations Security Council resolutions."

Regarding the fire that broke out on the vessel Namuho, which was anchored in the Strait of Hormuz on the 4th, Director Wi reported, "The fire has been extinguished, and it has been confirmed that all 24 crew members, including six Korean nationals, were unharmed." He added, "The government is currently working to analyze and assess the cause of the fire. The vessel is being towed and is expected to enter port around dawn tomorrow (Korean time). An investigation team will visit the site for further assessment."

Director Wi took a cautious stance on the possibility that the fire was caused by an attack, which was raised in the early stages of the incident. He said, "At first, there were discussions about the possibility of an attack when the fire broke out. We also considered convening a National Security Council (NSC) working-level meeting with that possibility in mind, but after further review of the information, it was determined that an attack was not certain." He added, "There was no flooding or listing of the vessel. For now, we have not held a working-level meeting and have been responding by monitoring the situation and communicating through other methods." He also stated, "At the same time, we are communicating with several relevant countries, including the United States, UAE, and Iran, through diplomatic channels."

Regarding the connection between President Trump's claim that a Korean cargo ship was exposed to an Iranian attack while operating alone and the pressure for participation in "Project Freedom," Director Wi said, "It is not certain, but such remarks from the United States seem to be based on the premise that our vessel was attacked." He added, "We are also trying to verify the relationship between the U.S. maritime freedom initiative and Project Freedom."

Director Wi stated, "It appears that the maritime freedom initiative is a broad approach for the stabilization of the strait and freedom of passage, while Project Freedom seems to be an immediate operational support mission for passage through the strait. We are reviewing these requests from the United States based on our position regarding passage through the strait."

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