Seoul: President Lee Jae Myung announced on Tuesday that all but two South Korean-operated vessels have successfully left the Strait of Hormuz, where they had been stranded due to the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict. During a Cabinet meeting, Lee shared that the two remaining vessels face specific circumstances that prevent their departure from the strait, which has been effectively closed following U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran in late February.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee credited the collective efforts of the South Korean populace and the dedicated work of public servants across various ministries, including the oceans ministry, the foreign ministry, and the National Intelligence Service, for the successful withdrawal of the vessels. Despite this progress, Lee warned that the crisis is not fully resolved and emphasized the need for effective and focused crisis management in the coming months and years.
President Lee urged the government to maintain an emergency response system and to pursue long-term strategies such as diversifying energy and raw material supply chains. The vessels' departure comes on the heels of a preliminary deal signed by the United States and Iran on June 17, aimed at paving the way for a final peace agreement to end the conflict.