South Korea to Join Multinational Talks on Strait of Hormuz Security

2 hours ago 3

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - South Korea will participate in a multinational defense ministerial meeting on security in the Strait of Hormuz, following a recent attack on a Seoul-operated cargo ship in the strategic waterway.

South Korea's Defense Ministry's Director General of Policy Planning, Army Maj. Gen. Woo Kyung-suk will attend a virtual meeting co-chaired by Britain and France on Tuesday, Yonhap News Agency reported, as quoted by ANTARA.

More than 40 countries are expected to join the first-ever summit focused on coordinated maritime security efforts in the Strait of Hormuz. The talks come amid growing international concern after the U.S.-Iran conflict disrupted shipping routes through the key waterway for global energy and fertilizer supplies.

Seoul recently concluded that the explosion and fire aboard the cargo ship HMM Namu on May 4 were caused by two unidentified flying objects. South Korea strongly condemned the attack and promised a full investigation to determine who was responsible.

National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac stressed that attacks on civilian vessels “cannot be justified or tolerated.” The government will take necessary steps after further analysis is completed, he said.

Previously, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that Iran had "shot down" the HMM Namu and other targets. However, the Iranian Embassy in Seoul stressed that Tehran categorically denies any military involvement in the incident.

The attack resulted in no casualties among the cargo ship's 24 crew members, six of whom were South Koreans.

Read: South Korean-Operated Ship Hit by Explosion in Hormuz

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News

South Korean Airlines Slash 900 Flights as Fuel Prices Surge

2 hari lalu

South Korean Airlines Slash 900 Flights as Fuel Prices Surge

South Korean low-cost carriers have cut around 900 flights and introduced unpaid leave amid soaring fuel prices linked to the Middle East conflict.

North Korea Removes Reunification Goal from Constitution

5 hari lalu

North Korea Removes Reunification Goal from Constitution

North Korea has revised its constitution to remove reunification with the South, cementing Kim Jong Un's stance toward Seoul as a permanent adversary.

North Korea Ramps up Executions Over Foreign Media, Says NGO

6 hari lalu