Five more South Korean ships transit Strait of Hormuz; 13 vessels remain in area

Five more vessels operated by South Korean shipping companies have transited the Strait of Hormuz, reducing the number of South Korean ships still waiting in the area to 13.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said Thursday that all five ships are sailing normally. The vessels carry 21 South Korean crew members in total; one is bound for South Korea while the others are headed to overseas destinations.

The 13 ships remaining in the area have a combined 87 South Korean crew members on board — 54 aboard South Korean-flagged vessels and 33 aboard foreign-flagged ships.

The government has not disclosed specific operational details, including vessel names, routes or positions, citing the safety of crew members and ships.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are coordinating with relevant countries while providing real-time monitoring and transit information to support safe navigation.

All remaining vessels except one currently undergoing repairs are preparing to transit in sequence, in line with consultations with relevant countries and each shipping company's own operational plans.

"We are continuing to provide transit updates and safety information to vessels waiting in the strait," a ministry official said. "We will work with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and overseas diplomatic missions to support the safe passage of our ships."