South Korea urges Iran for safe Hormuz navigation, 26 vessels stranded
Synopsis
Twenty-six South Korean vessels and over 170 crew members have been trapped in the Strait of Hormuz since late February, and Seoul's third ministerial call with Tehran still hasn't unlocked their release. With US-Iran negotiations stalled and Trump tightening pressure, South Korea is caught in a geopolitical chokehold — literally.
Key Takeaways
South Korean FM Cho Hyun held his third phone call with Iranian FM Abbas Araghchi since the conflict began in late February 2025 .
26 South Korean vessels with more than 170 crew members remain stranded in the Strait of Hormuz .
The call was made at the request of the Iranian side , according to Seoul's foreign ministry.
Former Ambassador Chung Byung-ha was dispatched as a special envoy to Iran in April to negotiate safe passage.
US President Donald Trump said he was not satisfied with Iran's latest proposal; US-Iran talks remain stalled after the first direct round in Islamabad .
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun held phone talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Saturday, 3 May 2025, pressing Tehran to restore safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, where 26 South Korean vessels with more than 170 crew members remain stranded, the South Korean foreign ministry confirmed.
What the Ministers Discussed
During the call, Minister Cho stressed that South Korean and other international vessels continue to sit anchored in the strategically vital waterway, urging the swift resumption of safe passage. He also expressed hope for the rapid restoration of peace and stability, highlighting the broader impact of the ongoing conflict on global security and the global economy.
For his part, Araghchi outlined Iran's current position on its negotiations with the United States, according to South Korea's foreign ministry. The call was made at the request of the Iranian side, the ministry noted.
Third Call Since Conflict Began
This marked the third conversation between the two ministers since the conflict broke out in late February, following US-Israeli strikes on Iran. The repeated diplomatic contact underscores Seoul's mounting concern over the safety of its nationals and commercial interests in one of the world's most critical shipping lanes — through which approximately 20% of global oil supply passes.
Seoul's Diplomatic Push to Free Stranded Ships
South Korea has been escalating its diplomatic efforts to secure the release of the stranded fleet. Earlier in April, the government dispatched former Ambassador to Kuwait Chung Byung-ha as a special envoy to Iran specifically to negotiate safe passage for the vessels.
On 29 April, South Korean Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung reiterated Seoul's commitment to freedom of navigation and the safety of all vessels in the strait in accordance with international rules, adding that bilateral consultations with Iran are being pursued on those principles.
US-Iran Talks Remain Stalled
The diplomatic backdrop remains fraught. US President Donald Trump extended a ceasefire deadline in early April, calling on Iran to present a unified peace proposal, while simultaneously ramping up pressure through naval blockades and economic sanctions.
On Friday (US time), Trump said he was
Point of View
Seoul is effectively a hostage to Washington's pressure campaign on Tehran. The fact that Iran requested this call — the third since February — suggests Tehran sees Seoul as a useful back-channel, but that leverage cuts both ways. If US-Iran talks collapse entirely, South Korea's commercial and human stakes in the Hormuz corridor could become a prolonged crisis with no bilateral fix available.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are South Korean vessels stranded in the Strait of Hormuz?
Twenty-six South Korean vessels with more than 170 crew members have been stranded in the Strait of Hormuz since the outbreak of conflict in late February 2025, following US-Israeli strikes on Iran. The ongoing hostilities have disrupted safe navigation through the critical waterway.
What did South Korean FM Cho Hyun discuss with Iran's Abbas Araghchi?
FM Cho Hyun urged Iran to resume safe navigation for South Korean and international vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. He also expressed hope for the swift restoration of peace and stability, citing the conflict's impact on global security and the economy.
How many times have the South Korean and Iranian foreign ministers spoken since the conflict began?
Saturday's call was the third conversation between FM Cho Hyun and FM Abbas Araghchi since the conflict began in late February 2025. This latest call was made at the request of the Iranian side.
What is the status of US-Iran negotiations?
US-Iran negotiations remain stalled after the first direct round of talks in Islamabad, Pakistan, last month ended without agreement. US President Donald Trump said on Friday he was not satisfied with Iran's latest proposal, while maintaining naval blockades and economic sanctions on Tehran.
What steps has South Korea taken to secure its stranded vessels?
South Korea dispatched former Ambassador to Kuwait Chung Byung-ha as a special envoy to Iran in April 2025 to negotiate safe passage. Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung also reiterated Seoul's support for freedom of navigation in accordance with international rules on 29 April.
