One Korean Ship Moves to Escape the Strait of Hormuz... First Attempt Among Stranded Korean Vessels

[Financial News] One large South Korean-flagged vessel is attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz on the 20th. It is the first among 26 stranded Korean ships to try to transit the strait. The vessel is reportedly moving through the Strait of Hormuz toward the Gulf of Oman.
It has not yet been confirmed whether this movement is related to the recent attack on the Korean ship HMM Namu in the Strait of Hormuz. Since the attack on the Namu, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun has held various consultations, including a phone call with Seyed Abbas Araghchi, the Iranian foreign minister.
Meanwhile, Cho Hyun appeared at a plenary session of the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee of the National Assembly on the same day and said, "The investigation into the attack on the Namu is in its final stage," adding, "However, it is still difficult to identify the perpetrator with certainty." He also said it would be prudent to be cautious about treating Iran as an enemy, noting the need to consider the safety of the 26 Korean vessels still stranded in the Strait of Hormuz. Cho also took a cautious stance, saying, "Under international law, an attack on a warship constitutes grounds for war. However, an attack on a merchant ship does not constitute grounds for war under international law."

rainman@fnnews.com Kim Kyung-soo Reporter