Korea should engage in Hormuz cooperation to protect national interests

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Korea should engage in Hormuz cooperation to protect national interests

Published: 17 Apr. 2026, 00:00

Audio report: written by reporters, read by AI

A vessel floats in the Strait of Hormuz, off the coast of Oman’s Musandam province, on April 12. [REUTERS/YONHAP]

President Lee Jae Myung is set to attend a virtual summit on Friday on navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, led by Britain and France. The meeting comes amid continued instability in the Middle East and seeks to build international cooperation to ensure freedom of navigation through the strategic waterway. For Korea, whose economy depends heavily on secure passage through the strait, active participation and a clear diplomatic stance are both timely and necessary, as well as part of its broader responsibility as a trading nation.

The scope of the discussions extends beyond military protection. The agenda includes mine clearance, safeguarding civilian vessels and stabilizing global energy supply chains. These measures point to an effort not only to address immediate disruptions but also to establish a more sustainable maritime security framework. More than 70 percent of Korea’s crude oil imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz, making it a critical energy lifeline. Regardless of how the conflict involving Iran develops or how cease-fire negotiations unfold, the importance of this route will remain unchanged. From that perspective, Korea’s participation in shaping international norms and safety mechanisms is also a strategic step in preparing for the post-conflict environment.

This initiative is a multilateral effort led by European countries. France’s military role and Britain’s diplomatic approach are being combined to present a layered model of international cooperation. For Korea, this creates an opportunity to secure its stake on the global stage under the principle of freedom of navigation, without being seen as aligning exclusively with any particular bloc. Although the United States is not participating in this specific meeting, maintaining close strategic communication with Washington remains essential alongside multilateral engagement.

At the same time, Korea must manage its bilateral relations with Iran carefully to ensure the safety of its vessels and crews operating in the region. This requires a calibrated diplomatic approach that balances competing interests and minimizes potential risks. Addressing such a complex issue calls for a high level of diplomatic coordination and precision.

Rights come with responsibilities. If Korea seeks to uphold the freedom of navigation and secure the economic benefits tied to it, it must also contribute actively to the multilateral framework that supports it. Strengthening joint response capabilities within such a system offers one of the most reliable safeguards in times of crisis. It also reinforces Korea’s role as a responsible participant in the international community.

Korea’s proactive diplomacy in the Strait of Hormuz should help reduce economic uncertainty while enhancing the safety of its ships and seafarers. The outcome of these efforts will be an important test of the country’s ability to protect its national interests while contributing to broader international stability.

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.