S. Korea in consultation with Iran, others to secure ship passage through Strait of Hormuz | Yonhap News Agency

## Summary
OK SEOUL, March 21 (Yonhap) -- South Korea is in close talks with countries, including Iran, to ensure a swift normalization of the Strait of Hormuz after Tehran said it is ready to allow Japan-bound vessels to pass through the sea route virtually closed in the wake of the Middle East crisis, a foreign ministry official said Saturday. "The government is closely monitoring developments in the Middle East while exploring ways to protect our citizens and secure energy transport routes," the official said. "We are communicating actively with relevant countries, including Iran." Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi earlier told the Kyodo News Agency that Tehran is ready to allow Japan-bound vessels to pass through the key oil shipping route after appropriate consultations with Tokyo. All lanes accessible to oil tankers fall within Iranian territorial waters, making the strait a critical lifeline for countries in East Asia, including South Korea and Japan. On Friday, Seoul said it will join seven countries, including European nations and Japan, in their joint statement condemning Iran's attacks in the Gulf and de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz Tensions escalated after U.S. and Israeli airstrikes, prompting Iran to effectively blockade the strait and raising concerns of a global energy crisis. Korea in talks with U.S., partners on multiple fronts over its role in Strait of Hormuz: Cheong Wa Dae Keywords #Hormuz Articles with issue keywords Most Liked Netflix, BTS to turn Seoul into world's 'biggest watch party' Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms (LEAD) FM Cho sidesteps questions on whether U.S. asked Seoul to send warships to Middle East Ex-U.S. officials voice concerns about Trump gov't 'vacating' deterrence assets from Indo-Pacific amid Iran war Korean Pavilion at Venice Biennale seeks comfort through art, with Han Kang's sculpture of blackened trees Most Saved Netflix, BTS to turn Seoul into world's 'biggest watch party' (LEAD) FM Cho sidesteps questions on whether U.S. asked Seoul to send warships to Middle East Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms Korean Pavilion at Venice Biennale seeks comfort through art, with Han Kang's sculpture of blackened trees Ex-U.S. officials voice concerns about Trump gov't 'vacating' deterrence assets from Indo-Pacific amid Iran war Most Viewed All Categories (LEAD) At least 50 injured in fire at Daejeon car parts plant (LEAD) Downtown Seoul braces for massive crowd at BTS comeback concert (2nd LD) 53 injured, 14 unaccounted for in fire at Daejeon car parts plant (LEAD) S.

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SEOUL, March 21 (Yonhap) -- South Korea is in close talks with countries, including Iran, to ensure a swift normalization of the Strait of Hormuz after Tehran said it is ready to allow Japan-bound vessels to pass through the sea route virtually closed in the wake of the Middle East crisis, a foreign ministry official said Saturday.
"The government is closely monitoring developments in the Middle East while exploring ways to protect our citizens and secure energy transport routes," the official said. "We are communicating actively with relevant countries, including Iran."
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi earlier told the Kyodo News Agency that Tehran is ready to allow Japan-bound vessels to pass through the key oil shipping route after appropriate consultations with Tokyo.
The Strait of Hormuz accounts for more than 20 percent of the world's oil trade passes.
All lanes accessible to oil tankers fall within Iranian territorial waters, making the strait a critical lifeline for countries in East Asia, including South Korea and Japan.
On Friday, Seoul said it will join seven countries, including European nations and Japan, in their joint statement condemning Iran's attacks in the Gulf and de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz
Tensions escalated after U.S. and Israeli airstrikes, prompting Iran to effectively blockade the strait and raising concerns of a global energy crisis.
This file photo, released by Reuters on March 11, 2026, shows cargo ships in the Gulf near the Strait of Hormuz. (Yonhap)
(END)
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S. Korea in consultation with Iran, others to secure ship passage through Strait of Hormuz

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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
N/A

### Areas for Consideration
- Korea in talks with U.S., partners on multiple fronts over its role in Strait of Hormuz: Cheong Wa Dae Keywords #Hormuz Articles with issue keywords Most Liked Netflix, BTS to turn Seoul into world's 'biggest watch party' Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms (LEAD) FM Cho sidesteps questions on whether U.S. asked Seoul to send warships to Middle East Ex-U.S. officials voice concerns about Trump gov't 'vacating' deterrence assets from Indo-Pacific amid Iran war Korean Pavilion at Venice Biennale seeks comfort through art, with Han Kang's sculpture of blackened trees Most Saved Netflix, BTS to turn Seoul into world's 'biggest watch party' (LEAD) FM Cho sidesteps questions on whether U.S. asked Seoul to send warships to Middle East Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms Korean Pavilion at Venice Biennale seeks comfort through art, with Han Kang's sculpture of blackened trees Ex-U.S. officials voice concerns about Trump gov't 'vacating' deterrence assets from Indo-Pacific amid Iran war Most Viewed All Categories (LEAD) At least 50 injured in fire at Daejeon car parts plant (LEAD) Downtown Seoul braces for massive crowd at BTS comeback concert (2nd LD) 53 injured, 14 unaccounted for in fire at Daejeon car parts plant (LEAD) S.

### Implications
- On Friday, Seoul said it will join seven countries, including European nations and Japan, in their joint statement condemning Iran's attacks in the Gulf and de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz Tensions escalated after U.S. and Israeli airstrikes, prompting Iran to effectively blockade the strait and raising concerns of a global energy crisis.
- Korea, others to help secure Hormuz Strait (LEAD) S.
- Korea in talks with U.S., partners on multiple fronts over its role in Strait of Hormuz: Cheong Wa Dae Keywords #Hormuz Articles with issue keywords Most Liked Netflix, BTS to turn Seoul into world's 'biggest watch party' Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms (LEAD) FM Cho sidesteps questions on whether U.S. asked Seoul to send warships to Middle East Ex-U.S. officials voice concerns about Trump gov't 'vacating' deterrence assets from Indo-Pacific amid Iran war Korean Pavilion at Venice Biennale seeks comfort through art, with Han Kang's sculpture of blackened trees Most Saved Netflix, BTS to turn Seoul into world's 'biggest watch party' (LEAD) FM Cho sidesteps questions on whether U.S. asked Seoul to send warships to Middle East Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms Korean Pavilion at Venice Biennale seeks comfort through art, with Han Kang's sculpture of blackened trees Ex-U.S. officials voice concerns about Trump gov't 'vacating' deterrence assets from Indo-Pacific amid Iran war Most Viewed All Categories (LEAD) At least 50 injured in fire at Daejeon car parts plant (LEAD) Downtown Seoul braces for massive crowd at BTS comeback concert (2nd LD) 53 injured, 14 unaccounted for in fire at Daejeon car parts plant (LEAD) S.
- Korea joins 7 countries in leaders' statement on Strait of Hormuz (LEAD) BTS leader RM injures ankle ahead of Gwanghwamun concert Most Viewed More Most Viewed Photos N.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers strait, hormuz, korea topics. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 599.