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| ▲ This undated image from the Associated Press shows vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
S Korea-Iran-Hormuz
Seoul continues consultations with Iran over S. Korean vessels stranded in Strait of Hormuz: official
SEOUL, April 29 (Yonhap) -- South Korea is actively seeking ways to resolve the issue of its ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, including consultations with Iran, a presidential spokesperson said Wednesday.
Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung made the remarks in response to a reporter's question about whether any progress has been made in securing the safe passage of South Korean vessels stranded in the sea route under Iranian control amid the Middle East conflict.
A total of 26 South Korean vessels, with more than 170 crew members on board, have been stranded in the Strait of Hormuz since the outbreak of the Iran war.
"Including consultations with the Iranian government, (Seoul) is actively pursuing measures to resolve the situation," Kang said.
The spokesperson reiterated the government's stance supporting freedom of navigation and the safety of all vessels in the strait in accordance with international rules, saying bilateral consultations with Iran are being pursued based on such principles.
Earlier this month, the government dispatched former Ambassador to Kuwait Chung Byung-ha as its special envoy to Iran to secure the safe passage of the stranded South Korean vessels.
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