Second South Korean ship clears Strait of Hormuz
June 11 (Asia Today) -- A South Korean-operated liquefied natural gas carrier that had been stranded near the Strait of Hormuz because of the U.S.-Iran war has passed through the waterway, South Korea's Foreign Ministry said Wednesday.
The vessel was headed to a third country, not South Korea, and eight South Korean crew members were aboard, officials said.
"One South Korean vessel has passed through the Strait of Hormuz and is sailing," the Foreign Ministry said. "Consultations related to this passage were led by the foreign-chartered company."
The ministry said it understood the ship was heading to its final destination in a third country.
A Foreign Ministry official said Seoul has repeatedly emphasized to Iran the need for the prompt and safe navigation of all vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, including South Korean ships. The official said the government is also continuing to communicate with related countries.
According to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, one LNG carrier operated by a South Korean shipping company resumed operations and left the inner side of the strait as of 7 a.m. Wednesday.
As a result, the number of South Korean-operated ships waiting inside the strait fell from 25 to 24. The number of South Korean crew members in the area declined from 147 to 139.
Foreign Ministry officials said the South Korean vessels are anchored in safe areas near Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and other nearby waters, following guidance from the Oceans Ministry.
"The government's top priority is the free and safe passage of South Korean vessels and crew members in the strait," a Foreign Ministry official said. "We are carrying out diplomatic efforts through multiple channels regarding the remaining 24 vessels."
The charterer of the ship that passed through the strait was identified as QatarEnergy, Qatar's state-owned energy company, and the final destination was believed to be Pakistan.
The case differs from the earlier passage of the Universal Winner, a very large crude carrier operated by HMM, which left the strait after direct negotiations between the South Korean government and Iran. In the latest case, the charterer led the decision-making and consultations.
Diplomatic observers said the involvement of QatarEnergy as the charterer and Pakistan as the destination may have helped the vessel secure passage. Pakistan has maintained close communication with Iran over Middle East tensions, and consultations involving the Pakistani Navy and the charterer may have reduced safety concerns.
The passage was reportedly completed shortly before Iran announced a full closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran said Wednesday local time it would completely close the strait in response to U.S. airstrikes.
Diplomatic observers said South Korea is likely to prioritize safety for the remaining 24 vessels for the time being, rather than pushing for immediate passage, as risks in the strait have increased.
-- Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI
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This story was originally published June 11, 2026 at 6:26 PM.