(EDITORIAL from Korea JoongAng Daily on April 2) | Yonhap News Agency

## Summary
OK As hopes rise for the Iran war's end, Korea must prepare Hopes are rising for an end to the Iran war, which was triggered by U.S. and Israeli strikes in February. The Trump administration has indicated that countries should manage passage through the Strait of Hormuz, which has been effectively blocked due to the war, on their own, and Iran has reportedly imposed transit fees of $2 million per oil tanker. For Korea, which depends heavily on Middle Eastern energy imports, the burden is unlikely to ease even after the conflict ends. Effective diplomacy requires securing national interests at such sensitive and uncertain moments. (END) Keywords #dailies-editorials Articles with issue keywords Most Liked Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot Most Saved Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot Most Viewed All Categories (3rd LD) Lee, Prabowo agree to elevate bilateral ties, expand defense industry cooperation Gov't raises energy disruption alert to second-highest level (LEAD) (News Focus) With 'Arirang,' BTS proves endurance beyond long break (2nd LD) Lee asks Indonesia's Prabowo to expand resource cooperation amid Mideast war (LEAD) Lee, Indonesia's Prabowo hold summit talks with eye on defense cooperation Most Viewed More Most Viewed Photos Indonesian president visits S.

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As hopes rise for the Iran war's end, Korea must prepare
Hopes are rising for an end to the Iran war, which was triggered by U.S. and Israeli strikes in February. U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday, "All I have to do is leave Iran. We will leave soon," and indicated that military operations could cease in two to three weeks. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has also signaled an openness to ending the conflict, provided that conditions are met to prevent further aggression.
With both sides publicly expressing such an intent despite their differences over cease-fire terms, expectations of the war ending have grown. Korea's stock market, which had fallen sharply after the outbreak of the crisis, rebounded more than 8 percent on Wednesday, reflecting this renewed optimism.
Still, it is too early to assume the conflict will end soon. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has said that the United States will "negotiate with bombs" and deployed the 82nd Airborne Division, Marine forces and B-52 strategic bombers to sustain pressure on Iran. Iran's resistance also remains firm.
However, while significant obstacles to a settlement remain, Trump's plan to deliver a national address and his earlier remark about receiving a "gift from Iran" have raised expectations that negotiations may be advancing, even if the details remain unclear.
The greater concern lies in how Korea should respond to the shifting global order. The Trump administration has indicated that countries should manage passage through the Strait of Hormuz, which has been effectively blocked due to the war, on their own, and Iran has reportedly imposed transit fees of $2 million per oil tanker. For Korea, which depends heavily on Middle Eastern energy imports, the burden is unlikely to ease even after the conflict ends. Damage to oil and liquefied natural gas facilities has further heightened supply risks and exposed structural vulnerabilities.
The government should therefore reassess its energy response measures and maintain an emergency posture by diversifying supply sources. It should also replenish U.S. Forces Korea assets that may have been redeployed during the crisis while strengthening the alliance with the United States and sustaining regional security cooperation in Northeast Asia. Effective diplomacy requires securing national interests at such sensitive and uncertain moments.
(END)
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(EDITORIAL from Korea JoongAng Daily on April 2)
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(EDITORIAL from Korea JoongAng Daily on April 2)

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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
- However, while significant obstacles to a settlement remain, Trump's plan to deliver a national address and his earlier remark about receiving a "gift from Iran" have raised expectations that negotiations may be advancing, even if the details remain unclear.
- Effective diplomacy requires securing national interests at such sensitive and uncertain moments. (END) Keywords #dailies-editorials Articles with issue keywords Most Liked Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot Most Saved Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot Most Viewed All Categories (3rd LD) Lee, Prabowo agree to elevate bilateral ties, expand defense industry cooperation Gov't raises energy disruption alert to second-highest level (LEAD) (News Focus) With 'Arirang,' BTS proves endurance beyond long break (2nd LD) Lee asks Indonesia's Prabowo to expand resource cooperation amid Mideast war (LEAD) Lee, Indonesia's Prabowo hold summit talks with eye on defense cooperation Most Viewed More Most Viewed Photos Indonesian president visits S.

### Areas for Consideration
- However, while significant obstacles to a settlement remain, Trump's plan to deliver a national address and his earlier remark about receiving a "gift from Iran" have raised expectations that negotiations may be advancing, even if the details remain unclear.
- The greater concern lies in how Korea should respond to the shifting global order.
- Effective diplomacy requires securing national interests at such sensitive and uncertain moments. (END) Keywords #dailies-editorials Articles with issue keywords Most Liked Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot Most Saved Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma Paik Kun-woo, at 80, says 'Music chose me' (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot Most Viewed All Categories (3rd LD) Lee, Prabowo agree to elevate bilateral ties, expand defense industry cooperation Gov't raises energy disruption alert to second-highest level (LEAD) (News Focus) With 'Arirang,' BTS proves endurance beyond long break (2nd LD) Lee asks Indonesia's Prabowo to expand resource cooperation amid Mideast war (LEAD) Lee, Indonesia's Prabowo hold summit talks with eye on defense cooperation Most Viewed More Most Viewed Photos Indonesian president visits S.

### Implications
- We will leave soon," and indicated that military operations could cease in two to three weeks.
- Still, it is too early to assume the conflict will end soon.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has said that the United States will "negotiate with bombs" and deployed the 82nd Airborne Division, Marine forces and B-52 strategic bombers to sustain pressure on Iran.
- However, while significant obstacles to a settlement remain, Trump's plan to deliver a national address and his earlier remark about receiving a "gift from Iran" have raised expectations that negotiations may be advancing, even if the details remain unclear.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers korea, iran, war topics. Notable strengths include discussion of korea. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 614.