Passage through Hormuz may take time despite cease-fire, national security chief says
Published: 10 Apr. 2026, 18:06
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- SARAH KIM
- [email protected]
![National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac, left, speaks with Foreign Minister Cho Hyun ahead of a Cabinet meeting at the Blue House in central Seoul on April 6. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/04/10/6b47e2b7-d222-439a-b2f9-31856b9987cf.jpg)
National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac, left, speaks with Foreign Minister Cho Hyun ahead of a Cabinet meeting at the Blue House in central Seoul on April 6. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]
National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac assessed that it could take some time for Korean-flagged vessels to transit through the Strait of Hormuz, despite a two-week cease-fire between the United States and Iran.
"It can be said that the current situation is at a very critical turning point," Wi told reporters at the Blue House in Seoul. "Due to the cease-fire agreement, high-intensity military clashes between the two sides were temporarily suspended. The international community, including Korea, has generally welcomed this."
Wi noted that the agreement announced by U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday comes as the Middle East war has raged on for 42 days. However, tensions continue as Israel attacked Lebanon on Wednesday, claiming that these operations are separate from the U.S.-Iran cease-fire deal.
"Despite the two-week cease-fire declaration, it does not appear that [ship traffic] has increased significantly compared to when the war was in progress," Wi said. "Based on a comprehensive assessment of trends in various countries and information gathered through our overseas diplomatic missions, it appears that not many ships are attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz immediately."
The government has confirmed there are 26 Korea-linked vessels, including seven oil tankers, stranded in the area due to the blockade of the strait.
Wi noted that if some 2,000 ships tried to exit the strait all at once, it could take time, and that "securing a safe shipping route could also become an issue."
He also pointed out that "although the Hormuz is currently open, Iran requires consultation with the Iranian military for navigation."
This comes amid reports that Iran has demanded that shipping companies pay fees for vessels passing through the waterway.
Wi said the Korean government is "continuing to communicate with relevant countries to ensure the safety of all vessels and crews, including the 26 Korean-flagged ships, to facilitate their prompt passage."
He added that there are active international cooperation efforts led by Britain and France to guarantee safe passage, and Korea is "attending meetings to grasp the developments and review what role we can play."
![Cargo ships float near the Strait of Hormuz amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran on March 11. [REUTERS/YONHAP]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/04/10/bed8bdc1-bd45-4af0-b6d3-dad6b04fbee8.jpg)
Cargo ships float near the Strait of Hormuz amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran on March 11. [REUTERS/YONHAP]
"We will carefully review realistic measures by comprehensively considering various factors, including the safety of international maritime routes, the Korea-U.S. alliance, security on the Korean Peninsula and relations between Iran and Middle Eastern countries," Wi said.
He was also cautious on the prospects of the Iran war ending, "given that the gap between the two sides' positions on the conditions remains significant."
He said that since the United States is publicly maintaining conditions that are difficult for Iran to accept, the "key variable is to what extent adjustments can be made and accepted."
Seoul's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday appointed Chung Byung-ha, a former ambassador to Kuwait, as its special envoy to Iran to coordinate the safe passage of Korean vessels and crew amid the Iran war following a phone call between the two countries' foreign ministers Thursday.
BY SARAH KIM [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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