South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Maintains "close communication" with the U.S. regarding matters related to the "Freedom Plan" initiative

In response to U.S. President Trump’s call for South Korea to participate in the so-called “Freedom Plan” escort operation in the Strait of Hormuz, South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on the 5th that both South Korea and the United States are maintaining close communication on related issues.
A spokesperson from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the safety and freedom of navigation through international maritime corridors are in the common interest of all countries and should be protected by international law.
Based on this position, to restore the stability and normalcy of global maritime logistics networks as soon as possible, the South Korean government has been actively participating in multiple international cooperations.
The spokesperson’s office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the South Korean government is aware of Trump’s relevant remarks, and regarding the U.S. proposals concerning the Strait of Hormuz, South Korea is conducting comprehensive considerations from the perspectives of the aforementioned stance, the alert status on the Korean Peninsula, and domestic legal procedures, and is studying and discussing the relevant suggestions.
South Korea and the U.S. have always maintained close communication on the stable use of major maritime routes, including the Strait of Hormuz.
A Panama-flagged vessel operated by a South Korean company caught fire and exploded in the Strait of Hormuz on the 4th.
Trump subsequently posted on social media claiming that Iran had fired upon ships, including a South Korean cargo ship, on that day, and urged the South Korean government to participate in the U.S.-led so-called “Freedom Plan” escort operation for ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz. (Xinhua)