President Lee Jae-myung on the 17th highlighted Korea's situation—about 70% of its crude oil imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz—during a virtual Hormuz meeting and said the country "will make a tangible contribution to international cooperation to ensure freedom of navigation in the strait."
According to the presidential office, starting at 9 p.m. Korea time that day, President Lee joined about 50 national leaders and representatives at the summit on "freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz," led by France and the United Kingdom, and held the meeting for about two hours.
At the meeting, the leaders exchanged views on international efforts to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, the safety of seafarers and the protection of vessels, and practical measures to guarantee navigation safety after the war ends.
President Lee was the first among the leaders attending virtually—excluding France, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Italy, which joined in person in France—to take the floor.
President Lee expressed concern, saying the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz—"a public asset and a key pillar supporting global supply chains"—is shaking energy, finance, industry, and food security worldwide. He also pointed out that the safety and health of seafarers stranded in the strait are not being adequately protected.
France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Canada, Australia, the Netherlands, Sweden, New Zealand, Iraq, Singapore, and other major countries and international organizations took part in the meeting. The participating countries agreed to strengthen diplomatic and military cooperation to secure freedom of navigation and safety in the strait in preparation for the post-war period.