Blue House says gov't to do 'utmost' to ensure Korean vessels can transit Strait of Hormuz during cease-fire
Published: 08 Apr. 2026, 19:21
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- SARAH KIM
- [email protected]
![President Lee Jae Myung, center, adjusts his safety helmet as he inspects the Uiwang Inland Container Depot, a logistics hub in Gyeonggi, on April 8. He later spoke with stakeholders in the shipping and logistic industries to discuss how to deal with high oil prices due to the Middle East crisis after the United States and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire agreement. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/04/08/cd14c102-d674-4c17-a88a-387cf5f09371.jpg)
President Lee Jae Myung, center, adjusts his safety helmet as he inspects the Uiwang Inland Container Depot, a logistics hub in Gyeonggi, on April 8. He later spoke with stakeholders in the shipping and logistic industries to discuss how to deal with high oil prices due to the Middle East crisis after the United States and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire agreement. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]
"Now that the conditions for the resumption of passage through the Strait of Hormuz have been established through this cease-fire agreement, our government plans to accelerate consultations with shipping companies and communication with relevant countries to ensure that our vessels can pass through as soon as possible," a Blue House official said.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced Tuesday, ahead of a looming deadline to reach a deal, that the United States agreed to conditionally suspend the bombing of Iran for two weeks at Pakistan's request. This was contingent on Tehran immediately reopening the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most critical oil chokepoints, which has been closed amid the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran.
Currently, the government has identified 26 Korea-linked vessels, including seven oil tankers and vessels carrying petroleum products and liquefied gas, with 173 crew currently stranded awaiting passage through the strait. They are carrying a total of 14 million barrels of crude oil.
"As Iran has indicated that it will resume transit while considering military cooperation and technical constraints, we are closely assessing the specific methods and conditions of transit through communication with relevant countries," the Blue House official said.
The official added that the government will also promptly review the list of Korea-flagged vessels required for transit "in close consultation with shipping companies."
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources likewise said it is working with the Foreign Ministry and the Oceans Ministry to enable the safe passage of Korea-linked tankers.
On Wednesday afternoon, President Lee Jae Myung visited the Inland Container Depot, a strategic logistics hub in Uiwang, Gyeonggi, and met with stakeholders in the transport and logistics industry to discuss measures to mitigate the impact of high oil prices. The hub is responsible for distributing cargo within 30 minutes to four industrial complexes in the metropolitan area and approximately 20,000 local companies.
"Due to the war in the Middle East, oil prices have risen sharply, and consequently, it seems the transportation and freight industries, in particular, are facing significant difficulties," Lee said, adding that truck drivers responsible for transporting goods must also be having a very hard time.
"Our government is taking various measures, such as announcing a maximum fuel price, but the difficulties felt on the ground may not have been fully resolved," Lee added, seeking various opinions from the industry to review whether any practical additional measures could be taken.
![President Lee Jae Myung, center, speaks with stakeholders in the freight transport and logistics industry to discuss ways to tackle high oil prices due to the Middle East crisis as the Inland Container Depot, a logistics hub in Uiwang, Gyeonggi, on April 8. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/04/08/f445b92f-2424-4ed5-b9d7-e9e1b5a4c2b4.jpg)
President Lee Jae Myung, center, speaks with stakeholders in the freight transport and logistics industry to discuss ways to tackle high oil prices due to the Middle East crisis as the Inland Container Depot, a logistics hub in Uiwang, Gyeonggi, on April 8. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]
During the meeting, Vice Minister for Transport Hong Jee-sun introduced the government's ceiling on oil prices and measures to cover 70 percent of the cost, up from 50 percent, when diesel exceeds 1,700 won per liter. He also introduced waivers on highway tolls, one of the major operating expenses for cargo trucks, including a full waiver of tolls on the Daejeon expressway during late-night hours beginning next week.
Industry representatives in attendance expressed their gratitude, stating that the government's swift response, including the oil price cap and oil price-linked subsidies, helped mitigate the damage, presidential spokesperson Jeon Eun-su said.
They also expressed worries that "if high oil prices persist, the transportation industry would be forced to shoulder the full burden of costs due to the nature of the sector."
Lee ordered an immediate review of various pieces of feedback, including a truck owner's suggestion that it is difficult to obtain small-business loans when a vehicle's value exceeds 300 million won ($200,000), and called on relevant ministries to improve access to low-interest loans for truck owners.
![President Lee Jae Myung inspects cargo at the Inland Container Depot, a logistics hub in Uiwang, Gyeonggi, on April 8. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/04/08/ea09efc3-848c-475e-ba59-e844e77d34f3.jpg)
President Lee Jae Myung inspects cargo at the Inland Container Depot, a logistics hub in Uiwang, Gyeonggi, on April 8. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]
Lee toured the Uiwang hub, inspecting the facility's operational status and changes in cargo volume resulting from rising oil prices.
"We need to conduct further verification," a Korean shipping company HMM spokesperson told the Korea JoongAng Daily on Wednesday.
HMM currently has five ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz.
"Both the United States and Iran are reportedly in agreement on a cease-fire, but it is conditional," the spokesperson said. "We can't make operational decisions based solely on Trump's claims. If we can be assured that our vessels are safe, we will then be in a position to plan our next steps. At this stage, however, it is too early to outline any concrete actions."
BY SARAH KIM, LEE JAE-LIM [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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