Almost all South Korean vessels leave Strait of Hormuz

South Korean Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon announced on Tuesday that almost all South Korean vessels have successfully left the Strait of Hormuz, following the reopening of the strategic waterway after U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran in late February. During a Cabinet meeting at Cheong Wa Dae, Lee stated that only two vessels remain in the strait due to circumstances preventing their departure. He credited the successful evacuation to the collective efforts of the people, who trusted the government, and the dedicated work of public servants from the oceans ministry, the foreign ministry, the National Intelligence Service, and other relevant ministries, as reported by Yonhap. Lee cautioned, however, that the crisis is not yet over, noting that considerable time will be required to fully restore the global economy even after a peace agreement is signed. He emphasized the need for more effective and focused crisis management in the mid- to long-term, urging the government to maintain a thorough emergency response system and pursue long-term tasks such as diversifying energy and raw material supply chains. The Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint for global oil shipments, was effectively shut after the airstrikes, causing disruptions in international trade. According to Mehr News, the departure of South Korean vessels marks a significant step toward normalizing maritime traffic in the region.