Seoul takes note of Trump's remarks in Iran war: officialKorea has taken note of remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump that Seoul is not doing enough to support U.S. efforts in its war against Iran, an official at the foreign ministry said Tuesday. Trump has criticized Korea, Japan and European allies for not helping the U.S. reopen the Strait of Hormuz, such as by sending warships to escort commercial ships through the waterway, amid the conflict in the Middle East. "We have been paying close attention to President Trump's repeated remarks," Park Il, foreign ministry spokesperson, said in a press briefing. "The government will carefully review the matter and make a judgment in close coordination with the United States," he said. Seoul has reportedly reached out to Washington seeking to clarify Trump's recent remarks and was told they were not directed specifically at Korea, but rather reflected broader disappointment over U.S. allies not responding to his calls for assistance. Both sides share the view that Trump's comments would have no impact on the bilateral alliance, including efforts to implement trade and security commitments as agreedApr 7, 2026By Yonhap
Seoul cites differing circumstances of ships, countries after Japan-linked vessels transit Strait of HormuzThe foreign ministry said Sunday that the ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz and their associated countries face differing circumstances, after two Japan-linked vessels passed through the vital waterway effectively blocked by Iran. The ministry's comments came after two Japan-related gas tankers transited through the shipping lane, where 26 Korean vessels with 173 sailors on board remain stranded since U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran in late February. Iran has said ships can pass through the maritime corridor through bilateral consultations with Tehran, while appearing to push to impose tolls on vessels using the crucial waterway as leverage over global energy supplies. Several ships linked with China, Thailand and France have also passed through the Strait of Hormuz. "Ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz vary widely in terms of nationality, ownership, operators, cargo, destinations and crew, leading to differing circumstances for each vessel and the countries involved," the ministry said in a message to media. "We prioritize the safety of vessels and their crew members as we take intoApr 5, 2026By Yonhap
FM Cho stresses cooperation on safe passage of Strait of Hormuz in phone talks with Japanese counterpartForeign Minister Cho Hyun held phone talks with his Japanese counterpart, Toshimitsu Motegi, on Thursday, and vowed close cooperation and communication on peace in the Middle East. During the phone talks, the top diplomats shared the view that peace in the Middle East and free, safe passage of the Strait of Hormuz are very important to the two countries, and close communication and cooperation between the two nations should continue over the issue, according to Cho's office. The two ministers also agreed that bilateral relations should be future-oriented and stable, while continuing reciprocal visits between the leaders of the two nations.Apr 2, 2026By Yonhap
Lee reaffirms commitment to regain wartime command in meeting with US lawmakersPresident Lee Jae Myung met with a delegation of U.S. lawmakers Thursday and reaffirmed his commitment to regain wartime operational control from Washington as part of a push to take on a greater share of the defense burden on the Korean Peninsula. Lee made the remarks during a meeting with six members of the Congressional Study Group on Korea, where the two sides exchanged views on security and economic issues between Seoul and Washington. "In addition to increasing defense spending, we aim to reduce the burden on the United States by regaining wartime operational control, and to take responsibility for safeguarding peace and stability in Northeast Asia, particularly around the Korean Peninsula," Lee said. "We believe it is only right that the defense of the Korean Peninsula be carried out by our own strength and capabilities," he added. Lee also expressed gratitude for U.S. support for South Korea during the 1950-53 Korean War, and asked the lawmakers to continue supporting peace and stability on the peninsula. His remarks came after Donald Trump said Wednesday South Korea was "not helpApr 2, 2026By Yonhap
Cheong Wa Dae expresses hope of restoring peace in Middle East following Trump's war speechCheong Wa Dae expressed hope Thursday for the restoration of peace and stability in the Middle East, after U.S. President Donald Trump signaled a pullback from involvement in the Strait of Hormuz. The response came after Trump said the United States will hit Iran "extremely hard" over the next two to three weeks in a televised address to the nation on Wednesday (local time), as the U.S.-Israeli war against Tehran has escalated into a wider regional conflict. "We hope the situation in the Middle East will move toward the swift restoration of peace and stability," presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said in a written briefing. "With regard to the Middle East war, the government is closely monitoring the situation and developments in the countries concerned." The government will work closely with the international community to ensure the safety of Korean nationals and businesses in the region, maintain stability in energy supply chains, and restore free maritime shipping routes, she added. In his speech, Trump also renewed his calls for countries that rely on the crucial Strait of HormuzApr 2, 2026By Yonhap
S. Korea calls for swift normalization of maritime shipping network after Trump's war speechThe foreign ministry on Thursday called for a swift normalization of global maritime shipping after U.S. President Donald Trump signaled a pullback from involvement in the Strait of Hormuz. Trump said in a televised address to the nation on Wednesday (local time) that countries that rely on the vital waterway for energy imports should take the lead in ensuring the safety of the region and that they should take care of the matter. Trump also said the U.S. will hit Iran hard over next two to three weeks, as the U.S.-Israeli war against Tehran has escalated into a wider regional conflict, sending Tehran to effectively block the critical shipping route for global energy supplies. "The safety of international sea lanes and freedom of navigation serve the interests of all nations and are protected under international law," ministry spokesperson Park Il said in a press briefing, when asked to comment on Trump's remarks. "Based on that, we hope the global maritime shipping network will be normalized as soon as possible," he said. South Korea is carefully reviewing its approach to the issue, incluApr 2, 2026By Yonhap
Deputy FM to attend virtual multilateral meeting on Strait of HormuzA senior foreign ministry official will attend a multilateral ministerial meeting late Thursday on efforts to ensure safe passage of the Strait of Hormuz, the ministry said. Chung Eui-hae, deputy foreign minister for political affairs, will join participants from 34 other countries, including Britain and France, to assess the current situation in the vital waterway for global energy supplies amid the escalating U.S.-Iran conflict. The 35 nations have issued a joint statement condemning Iran's effective blockade of the shipping lane, pledging to contribute to ensuring safety and freedom of navigation in the region. The meeting will take place via video links at 8 p.m. (Seoul time). "We expect there will be broad discussions regarding the current situation and the need to secure the safety of vessels and crew stranded in the strait, and freedom of navigation," ministry spokesperson Park Il said in a press briefing.Apr 2, 2026By Yonhap
Strong Korea-Japan relationship is a must: Japanese ambassador“Japan and Korea are neighbors living next door, and neither can move away. A strong bilateral relationship is no longer optional, but essential,” said Koichi Mizushima, Japan's ambassador to Korea. The remarks came during a press forum held at the Seoul Press Center on Friday, as Mizushima spoke about the future of Korea-Japan relations. “As neighbors, we have had certain problems rooted in history,” he said. “But it is the responsibility of the current generation to build a firm foundation for a future-oriented relationship.” Mizushima went on to describe the current international political landscape as “highly fluid,” citing North Korea’s nuclear activities, China’s diplomatic and military moves, the Russia-Ukraine war and the conflict between the United States and Iran. "Japan and South Korea, as two like-minded nations that share common values, need to cooperate," he said. He also stressed the importance of the United States in that equation, saying the three countries need to demonstrate strategic coordination built on the strong Korea-U.S. alliance and Japan-U.SMar 27, 2026By Hankookilbo
InterviewKorea risks losing Gulf defense deals by doing 'nothing' in Hormuz crisis, expert saysKorea risks undermining its defense export ambitions in the Middle East if it fails to support key Gulf partners during the current conflict, a Middle East expert warned, arguing that trust built in times of crisis, not just technology, determines future arms deals. Jang Ji-hyang, a principal fellow and director of the Center for Regional Studies at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, said Seoul has focused too narrowly on its alliance with the United States and its role as a middle power, while overlooking its strategic ties with the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. “Many claim Korea should consider the Korea-U.S. alliance and take a responsibility as a middle power country, but what we are missing here is Korea’s relations with the UAE and Saudi Arabia,” Jang said in a phone interview with The Korea Times, Wednesday. Seoul holds a special strategic partnership with the UAE and a future-oriented strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia — yet is doing "nothing" while both countries endure the hardships of war, she said, likening Korea's stance to that of a "thief" towardMar 27, 2026By Park Ji-won
Tehran to prioritize evacuation of Koreans, envoy saysTehran will prioritize helping Korean nationals leave Iran safely if they want, Iran’s Ambassador to Korea Saeed Koozechi said Wednesday. “We consider Korean nationals in Iran to be our guests, so if they want to leave, we will give them the highest priority to move to safe places,” the Iranian ambassador said during a closed-door meeting at the National Assembly, according to Rep. Kim Seok-ki, chair of the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee. Kim briefed reporters on the hourlong meeting, which was also attended by Rep. Kim Young-bae of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea and Rep. Kim Gunn of the main opposition People Power Party, both executive secretaries of the committee. Koozechi explained that Iran has “taken proactive steps on evacuation from the early stages of the war,” according to Kim. According to the foreign ministry, some 40 Korean nationals, most of whom are believed to have long-established livelihoods in Iran, remain in the country. Another 30 Korean nationals have left Iran through two rounds of evacuation after the United States and Israel began theirMar 25, 2026By Park Ji-won
