Cheong Wa Dae on the 20th said about the closure of the Strait of Hormuz following U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran and Iran's retaliation that it is "in close communication with major allies, including the United States, and conducting multifaceted consultations regarding our contribution options." It also said, "We are carefully reviewing response measures while considering our domestic laws and procedures and the readiness posture on the Korean Peninsula."
A Cheong Wa Dae official conveyed the government's position in a media notice that day. The official said, "The Middle East situation is a major issue in international affairs, and we cannot rule out the possibility that it will be prolonged," and noted, "In particular, disruptions to navigation in the Strait of Hormuz directly affect Korea's energy supply and economy."
The official added, "In the international community, including the U.N. Security Council and the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the current situation in the Strait of Hormuz has been viewed as serious, and the need for a joint response by the international community has been raised," and said, "Several countries are reviewing their own contribution options to ensure free passage in the Strait of Hormuz."
The official also said, "Our government believes that the safety of international sea lanes and freedom of navigation serve the interests of all countries and are protected by international law, and on that basis we hope the global maritime logistics network can return to normal as soon as possible," adding, "We are exploring a combination of options optimized for our national interest."
As the war between the United States and Iran has spread across the Middle East and the standoff has stretched beyond three weeks, U.S. President Donald Trump, who asked allies to dispatch warships, has reversed his stance multiple times. On the 17th (local time), three days after he asked via social media to send warships to Hormuz, he said, "We don't need anyone's help." However, the next day the White House said it was still pursuing the "Hormuz coalition card." The Korean government is currently maintaining strategic ambiguity in line with a "cautious response" stance.