South Korean Vessels Navigate Strait of Hormuz After US-Iran Ceasefire MOU

Two South Korean-operated vessels passed through the Strait of Hormuz on June 22, days after United States and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to cease hostilities and reopen waterway. Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) said they are sailing normally but have not yet fully exited high-risk zone. Neither ship carries South Korean crew or heads for South Korea.

UsNews and World ReportThe Straits TimesTwo South Korean ships exited the Strait of Hormuz as the United States and Iran agreed to open it. ..

The MOU, signed previous week, includes Article 5, obligating Iran to allow ship passage through the Strait for 60 days without a fee. It follows February blockage that trapped 26 South Korean-operated vessels, including an oil tanker and an LNG carrier that later left after bilateral talks. Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) began accepting passage applications thereafter.

Due to the Middle East war, two South Korean ships staying inside the Strait of Hormuz escaped from . .Two South Korean ships exited the Strait of Hormuz as the United States and Iran agreed to open it. ..The Straits Times

Twenty-two South Korean-operated vessels remain in the Strait, together carrying 135 Korean seafarers—102 aboard Korean-flagged ships and 33 on foreign-flagged vessels. The two transiting ships are VLCCs owned by Janggeum Merchant Marine, each with about 2 million barrels of crude; one bound for Japan, the other's destination undisclosed. They sailed via the Oman coastal route rather than Iran’s proposed Larak Island corridor.

Due to the Middle East war, two South Korean ships staying inside the Strait of Hormuz escaped from . .

MOF emphasized safety measures, saying it provides real-time monitoring and passage information to ensure safe transit. Iran’s military announced on June 20 it would re-block the Strait, citing Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon, while U.S. military said passage via Oman’s coastal route remains feasible. Shipping firms have applied to PGSA for scheduled exits; a “day of hope” was set for June 21, but no clearance has yet been issued.

Two South Korean ships exited the Strait of Hormuz as the United States and Iran agreed to open it. ..

Industry observers say limited disclosure of ship identities and routes hampers transparency and risk assessment, and a renewed Iranian blockade raises concerns about the MOU’s durability and crew safety. Reliance on the Oman route instead of Iran’s proposed corridor highlights challenges for owners.

Two South Korean ships exited the Strait of Hormuz as the United States and Iran agreed to open it. ..

All sources concur that 22 South Korean-operated vessels remain in the Strait; no numerical discrepancies were identified. However, details such as the exact names of the two transiting ships, their owners beyond Janggeum Merchant Marine, and the timeline for subsequent departures remain undisclosed.

Two South Korean ships exited the Strait of Hormuz as the United States and Iran agreed to open it. ..

• “Two of our shipping company-operated ships waiting inside the Strait of Hormuz have passed through the strait and are sailing normally.” — Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries

Two South Korean ships exited the Strait of Hormuz as the United States and Iran agreed to open it. ..Due to the Middle East war, two South Korean ships staying inside the Strait of Hormuz escaped from . .The Straits Times

• “We are supporting safety operations such as providing information related to the passage of the Channel and monitoring in real time so that safe passage of our ships can be achieved.” — Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries spokesperson

Two South Korean ships exited the Strait of Hormuz as the United States and Iran agreed to open it. ..

The MOF expects South Korean vessels to leave the Strait sequentially under the 60-day MOU window. Ongoing U.S.–Iran talks and regional security will decide whether the waterway stays open or faces renewed restrictions.

Due to the Middle East war, two South Korean ships staying inside the Strait of Hormuz escaped from . .