02/04/2026
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02/04/2026
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SEOUL (AP), Apr 2: South Korea says it is in close coordination with Washington over efforts to address Iran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route for oil and energy supplies.
South Korean Foreign Ministry spokesperson Park Il said Thursday that Seoul supports the swift normalization of maritime traffic through the strait and is reviewing “diverse measures” to safeguard its citizens and ensure the uninterrupted flow of energy imports. He did not disclose specific policy options under consideration.
The remarks come amid growing international pressure, with U.S. President Donald Trump urging South Korea and other Asian allies to play a more active role in reopening the strategic waterway. Speaking at an Easter event at the White House, Trump criticized some regional partners for not doing enough to help restore shipping access through the corridor.
The Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint linking the Persian Gulf to global sea routes, has become a focal point of tensions amid escalating conflict in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Thursday called on lawmakers to approve a 26.2 trillion won ($17.2 billion) supplementary budget aimed at cushioning what he described as an “extraordinary” energy crisis triggered by the regional war.
Lee told parliament the package would fund government price caps on oil—reintroduced for the first time in three decades—and provide tiered fuel subsidies ranging from 100,000 won to 600,000 won ($65.7 to $394) for low- and middle-income households.
He added that part of the funding would be directed toward stabilizing supply chains for oil and key resources, as well as supporting export-driven industries.
Describing the situation as severe and prolonged, Lee said the crisis was “not a passing shower, but a massive storm of unknown duration,” warning that even a swift end to the conflict would not immediately restore disrupted energy infrastructure or global supply flows.
Key developments are being closely monitored by the Strait of Hormuz, the Donald Trump, and South Korean leadership including Lee Jae Myung.
