The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said May 5 that it notified relevant agencies immediately after receiving the report and began an emergency situation review meeting chaired by the minister at about 10 p.m. Hwang Jong-woo instructed officials to “do their utmost to take necessary measures to protect the safety of our seafarers and vessels,” and ordered nearby South Korean ships to move to safer waters.
Hwang chaired another situation review meeting at 9 a.m. May 5 to check developments.
A ministry official said the government is in close contact with the shipping company and the vessel, and is working with related agencies, including the Foreign Ministry, to secure the safety of the ship and South Korean seafarers.
As of May 5, a total of 160 South Korean seafarers were confirmed to be in the inner area of the Strait of Hormuz: 123 aboard South Korean vessels and 37 aboard foreign vessels.
The ministry official said the government is communicating frequently with shipping companies to protect seafarers, adding that it will respect their wishes but will safely bring to South Korea those who choose to exercise their right to request disembarkation.
