5 more Korean-operated vessels exit Strait of Hormuz

Five more Korean-operated vessels have exited the Strait of Hormuz following last week's cease-fire agreement between the United States and Iran, bringing the total number of vessels that have left the region to 11, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said Thursday.

The Oceans Ministry said the ships safely passed through the strategic waterway and are sailing normally.

A total of 21 Korean sailors were aboard the vessels, with one vessel bound for Korea, the ministry said.

With the latest departure, the number of Korean-linked ships remaining inside the strait has fallen to 13.

The ministry said 87 Korean sailors remain in the Persian Gulf, including 54 aboard Korean-operated vessels and 33 serving on foreign-flagged ships.

Under the cease-fire agreement reached with Washington, Tehran has agreed to allow vessels to transit the Strait of Hormuz without any fees for 60 days following the signing of the interim pact.

Yonhap