Korea strikes cautious note over Iran's move to impose tolls in Strait of Hormuz

A cargo ship in the Gulf, near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from northern Ras al-Khaimah, near the border with Oman's Musandam governance, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in United Arab Emirates, March 11 (local time). Reuters-Yonhap

Korea stroke a cautious note Tuesday over Iran's move to impose tolls on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz amid the widening conflict between U.S.-Israeli forces and Iran, saying it is closely monitoring the situation.

Iran's parliamentary commission has passed legislation introducing fees for ships passing through the vital waterway for global energy supplies, sparking concerns from the United States, the European Union and other countries.

"We are closely monitoring the situation and developments in the Middle East, including the Strait of Hormuz," foreign ministry spokesperson Park Il said during a press briefing.

"We maintain that freedom of navigation and the safety of all vessels must be guaranteed and that global energy supplies should be normalized as soon as possible," Park said.

A ministry official took note of the need to carefully assess the issue as it takes various factors into account, including the negotiations between the U.S. and Iran and the positions of other countries, as well as how discussions will pan out at the United Nations and relevant international organizations.

"Freedom of navigation and maritime security are like global public goods," the official told reporters. "We are also taking into account the potential impact on our relations with Iran, alongside ongoing international discussions."