SEOUL: South Korea has stated that it will “carefully review its position” on whether to participate in United States-led maritime operations in the Strait of Hormuz, following renewed tensions in the strategic waterway after an alleged attack on a South Korean cargo vessel.
The announcement came on Tuesday after US President Donald Trump urged Seoul to join American efforts to escort and protect commercial shipping through the strait, a vital global energy route that has been severely disrupted since the outbreak of the US-Iran conflict on 28 February.
According to reports, an explosion and subsequent fire broke out on a South Korean-flagged cargo vessel on Monday while it was transiting the key shipping lane. The Strait of Hormuz has been effectively blocked in parts due to escalating regional hostilities.
South Korea’s foreign ministry confirmed that all 24 crew members aboard the vessel, identified as the HMM Namu, were safe. Among them were six South Korean nationals. Officials further stated that the fire onboard had been completely extinguished.
The vessel, a cargo ship measuring nearly 180 metres (590 feet), sails under the Panamanian flag, according to maritime tracking data from MarineTraffic.
In response to growing international attention, South Korea’s defence ministry said it would not rush into any decision, instead opting to “carefully review our position” without committing to immediate operational involvement.
The ministry added that any decision would be based on several factors, including international law, the safety of global maritime routes, the country’s security alliance with the United States, and the broader security environment on the Korean Peninsula.
It also noted that Seoul had already been “actively participating in international discussions on cooperation to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.”
While pressure from Washington has increased following the latest incident, South Korean officials have signalled a cautious diplomatic approach, balancing alliance obligations with regional security risks and maritime stability concerns.
