Seoul sends Korea-related ship details to Tehran in bid to secure Hormuz passage

A cargo ship sails in the Gulf of Oman near the Strait of Hormuz, seen from northern Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates, near the border with Oman’s Musandam Governorate, March 11. Reuters-Yonhap

Seoul shared with Tehran the list of 26 Korea-related vessels stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, sources familiar with the matter said Tuesday, in a diplomatic push to secure priority passage through the contested waterway as ceasefire negotiations between Washington and Tehran remain deadlocked.

The ship details were conveyed during talks between Korean and Iranian officials, according to local media reports, though it remains unclear whether Chung Byung-ha — the special envoy dispatched by the foreign minister to Iran — personally delivered it.

Iran had previously indicated that vessel information would be needed for any discussions on passage through the strait. As of Tuesday, 173 crew members linked to Korean vessels remain stranded.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs declined to verify specifics but said the government is “in communication with relevant countries on the safe passage of ships staying in the Strait of Hormuz.”

The ministry added that Seoul is considering providing humanitarian aid to the Middle East region in response to requests from the United Nations and the international community, in keeping with its goal of becoming “a globally responsible country.”

Chung arrived in Iran over the weekend, after the U.S. and Iran agreed on a ceasefire for two weeks on April 8 and some ships reportedly managed to pass through the strait. However, the two sides have since failed to narrow their differences, leaving the timeline for reopening the passage uncertain. In response, U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to blockade the Iranian ports in the strait, and reports indicate the U.S. has begun taking steps to do so.

Iran has required ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz to share detailed information to receive authorization from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. The Korean government has coordinated its position with other countries, reiterating that it will not enter into separate negotiations with Iran solely over passage through the strait.

With around 2,200 vessels waiting, analysts say active diplomatic engagement is essential for any country hoping to move its ships to the front of the queue.

“Negotiations through the special envoy are necessary, as Iran will decide which ships to allow through the strait first among some 2,200 vessels, meaning each government must actively engage in diplomatic efforts on behalf of its own ships,” said Ban Kil-joo, an assistant professor at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy.

When asked whether the outreach conflicts with Seoul's stated position against separate negotiations with Iran, Ban said the talks should be interpreted in the context of national interest.

“These are discussions on the safety of Korea-related ships and energy security. And in that process, the contribution to the international community is naturally emphasized as well,” he said, adding that even if the international community falls short in pressing Iran to reopen the strait, someone must take the lead, and the accumulated diplomatic contacts between Seoul and Tehran could eventually link up with broader multilateral efforts.

“There will come a time when a more integrated approach is needed ... The communications and negotiations with Iran being built up now will connect to those international efforts down the line.”

Trump's reverse blockade order — restricting vessels traveling to and from Iran — has ratcheted up tensions in the strait and is widely seen as raising the difficulty of passage negotiations.

Ban stressed the importance of keeping Washington informed of Seoul's contacts with Tehran to avoid any perception of decoupling from the alliance.

“Korea needs to highlight that these ships are not providing any benefit to Iran, but rather enabling us to import oil from Gulf states that are U.S. allies or friendly nations,” he said. “On that basis, these vessels will ultimately be allowed to pass.”

Meanwhile, Cheong Wa Dae also clarified Tuesday that Janggeum Maritime, the Korean company reported to own a vessel that passed through the strait, is a charterer rather than the ship's owner, noting the vessel was not monitored by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and was not counted among the 26 Korea-linked ships.