South Korea on alert as nearly 200 sailors remain in Persian Gulf

SEOUL, March 9 (AJP) - Some 183 South Korean sailors are confirmed in the Persian Gulf, with the government here stepping up efforts to ensure their safety amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

After a meeting chaired by Vice Minister and Acting Minister Kim Seong-beom, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said on Monday that about 146 sailors are aboard 26 South Korean-flagged ships, while 37 are on foreign-flagged vessels as of last Sunday.

No South Korean sailors have left the ships or asked to do so, though crew numbers may continue to change as sailors board and disembark.

According to the ministry, all these South Korean vessels have at least one month's worth of essential supplies, with additional goods available through local agents in the Middle East, except at certain ports.

The ministry said it is working with relevant ministries and South Korean diplomatic missions in the Middle East to monitor the situation and provide daily updates to ensure the sailors' safe return if the conflict continues.

Kim said the ministry will "carefully prepare measures to ensure sailors' safety in case the situation is prolonged," urging officials to remain on alert and ready to respond to any emergencies until the situation ends.