SEOUL, June 24 (Yonhap) — Four more South Korean-operated vessels have exited the Strait of Hormuz following last week’s ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran, bringing the total number of vessels that have left the region to six, the maritime ministry said Wednesday.
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said the ships safely passed through the strategic waterway and are sailing normally.
A total of 26 South Korean sailors were aboard the vessels, with one vessel bound for South Korea, the ministry said.
With the latest departure, the number of South Korean-linked ships remaining inside the strait has fallen to 18.
Earlier this week, HMM’s 16,000-TEU container ship Daon and the very large crude carrier (VLCC) Universal Glory also exited the area.
The ministry said 108 South Korean sailors remain in the Persian Gulf, including 75 aboard South Korean-operated vessels and 33 serving on foreign-flagged ships.
Under the ceasefire agreement reached with Washington, Tehran has agreed to allow vessels to transit the Strait of Hormuz without any fees for 60 days following the signing of the interim pact.
The very large crude carrier Universal Winner, a South Korean oil tanker operated by Korean shipping company HMM, reaches waters off the southeastern port city of Ulsan in this June 10, 2026, file photo. (Yonhap)
ejkim@yna.co.kr
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