South Korea Considering Joining U.S. Operations in the Strait of Hormuz

SadaNews - South Korea said on Tuesday it will "review its position" regarding joining U.S. operations in the Strait of Hormuz, after President Donald Trump urged it to do so following the attack on one of its ships in the area.

On Monday, an explosion and fire were reported on board a South Korean cargo ship in the maritime corridor that has effectively been closed since the outbreak of war in the Middle East on February 28.

However, the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Tuesday that all 24 crew members aboard the affected vessel, "HMM Namo," including six South Koreans, were unharmed.

Commenting on the incident, Trump believed that what happened should prompt Seoul to join U.S. efforts aimed at escorting stranded vessels through the Strait.

In response, the South Korean presidential office held a meeting on Tuesday to discuss the position regarding the fire that broke out after an explosion on a Panamanian-flagged ship belonging to the South Korean shipping company "HMM" in the Strait of Hormuz.

The South Korean news agency Yonhap reported that Chief of Staff of the Presidential Office Kang Hong-seok and senior officials attended the meeting, according to presidential spokesperson Kang Yoo-jung.

For its part, the South Korean Ministry of Defense stated on Tuesday that it will carefully review its position without committing to any changes at this time.

The ministry added that Seoul will determine its position based on international law, the safety of international maritime routes, its alliance with the United States, as well as the security situation on the Korean Peninsula.