The Blue House said it is reviewing the Freedom Project proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. Earlier, after a fire broke out on a ship operated by a Korean shipping company, President Trump said, "It's time for Korea to take part."
In a notice on the afternoon of the 5th, the Blue House said, "The government has been actively taking part in various international efforts for the prompt stabilization, recovery and normalization of the global maritime logistics network, under the position that the safety of international sea lines of communication and freedom of navigation align with the common interests of all countries and must be protected under international law."
It added, "We are also reviewing the U.S.-proposed plan related to the Strait of Hormuz in light of the above principles, readiness on the Korean Peninsula, and domestic legal procedures," and said, "Regarding the Freedom Project as well, Korea and the United States are maintaining ongoing, close communication on the stable use of key sea lines of communication, including the Strait of Hormuz."
The Freedom Project is an operation to escort ships trapped in the Strait of Hormuz under U.S. military leadership, launched on the 4th local time. A merchant ship operated by Danish shipping company Maersk exited the Strait of Hormuz under U.S. military support on the first day of the operation.
The previous day, after an HMM-operated ship in the Strait of Hormuz was damaged, President Trump said on Truth Social, "Iran attacked a Korean cargo ship," adding, "It may now be time for Korea to join the mission (Freedom Project)."