Office of the President: "No Consideration Given to Linking Passage of Korean Ships Through Hormuz with Provision of Relief Supplies"

"Humanitarian aid review is solely aimed at improving the situation in the Middle East"
Issue of Korean vessels in Hormuz discussed under the principle of 'ensuring free navigation'

The Blue House announced on the 6th that, despite the de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz due to the war between the United States, Israel, and Iran, which has limited the passage of ships under the Korean flag, it has never considered linking the provision of relief supplies with allowing ships to pass through the strait.

Yonhap News

An official from the Blue House stated, in response to some suggestions, that "the idea of linking the provision of relief supplies with ship passage has not been considered." The official explained, "Discussions on humanitarian assistance are being conducted with the aim of improving the humanitarian situation in the Middle East."

This official further explained, "The government believes that, according to international norms, free navigation and safety must be ensured for all vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, and that the normalization of global energy supplies should be achieved as soon as possible." The official added, "In line with this position, we are communicating and cooperating with the relevant countries."

This statement reaffirms that the government regards the issue of humanitarian assistance to the Middle East and the issue of passage through the Strait of Hormuz as separate matters. Both the Blue House and the government intend to continue diplomatic consultations based on the principles of guaranteeing free navigation and stabilizing energy supply chains.

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