Lee urges swift measures to ensure safe return of Korean vessels from Hormuz Strait

President Lee Jae Myung, right, speaks during a meeting with his senior aides at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap

President Lee Jae Myung on Thursday instructed his aides to devise "thorough and preemptive" measures on the Middle East conflict, calling the safe return of Korean vessels stranded in the Strait of Hormuz the most urgent task.

Lee told a meeting with senior aides that, "It is too early to be optimistic about the outcome," although the United States and Iran have agreed on a two-week ceasefire.

Lee urged officials to mobilize all diplomatic resources and cooperate closely with the international community to ensure the safe return of the Korean vessels and crew members.

"Regardless of how and when the war in the Middle East ends, a new world will emerge that will be fundamentally different from what it was before," Lee said, calling on the officials to prepare thoroughly for the future.

There are currently 26 Korean vessels with 173 sailors on board stranded in the strait since the U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday (U.S. time) said he agreed to suspend strikes on Iran for two weeks, subject to Tehran's agreement to the "complete" and "immediate" reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil shipping lane.

Following Trump's announcement, Tehran said safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz would be possible for two weeks through coordination with Iran's armed forces and with due consideration of "technical limitations."