HIBAPRESS – Agencies
South Korea said on Tuesday that it would "review its position" on joining US operations in the Strait of Hormuz, after US President Donald Trump urged it to do so following an attack on one of its ships in the vicinity of the strait.
An explosion and fire were reported on Monday aboard a South Korean cargo ship in the sea passage effectively closed since the outbreak of the war in the Middle East on February 28. But the South Korean Foreign Ministry confirmed on Tuesday that all 24 crew members aboard the damaged ship "HMM Namu", including six South Koreans, were unharmed. Commenting on the operation, Trump considered that what happened should push Seoul to join the American efforts to escort the stranded ships through the strait. In view of that, the South Korean Ministry of Defense said on Tuesday that it would carefully review its position, without committing to any change at the moment. The ministry added that Seoul will determine its position based on international law, the safety of international sea lanes, its alliance with the United States, in addition to the security situation on the Korean Peninsula.
