Presidential Office Reviews Response to Hormuz Ship Accident Investigation and US Military Operation Request

The Presidential Office has initiated an investigation into the recent accident involving a Korean vessel in the Strait of Hormuz and stated its intention to disclose the findings transparently. The investigation is expected to take several days, involving the deployment of a tugboat, dispatch of investigators, and sending maritime safety tribunal investigators and fire department forensic experts to the scene.

The government reiterated its stance that the safety of international maritime traffic routes and freedom of navigation serve the common interests of all nations, and it supports efforts to stabilize global maritime logistics networks.

Meanwhile, the Presidential Office announced that it is reviewing the US request for participation in military operations, taking into account readiness posture for the Korean Peninsula and domestic legal procedures. A meeting chaired by Chief of Staff for Presidential Affairs Kang Hoon-sik discussed responses to the vessel explosion and fire, as well as the direction of the response to the US request.

The government is maintaining a cooperative framework by sharing relevant information with countries such as the US, Iran, and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states, and is monitoring the situation in real-time through its local missions. Safety checks are ongoing for 26 Korean vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, and diplomatic channels have also been activated.