A foreign ministry official said Friday that Seoul is “well aware of the situation” regarding the joint statement by the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan, and Canada condemning Iran, adding that the government “plans to review the matter while taking various factors into consideration.”
The statement was initially issued by six countries. Canada joined later.
“We condemn in the strongest terms recent attacks by Iran on unarmed commercial vessels in the Gulf, attacks on civilian infrastructure including oil and gas installations, and the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iranian forces,” the seven countries said in the statement.
They warned that such disruptions to international shipping and the global energy supply chain pose “a threat to international peace and security,” and urged Iran to immediately cease attacks on civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas facilities.
The statement also called for an end to attacks on commercial vessels, as well as the laying of mines and the use of drones and missiles.
In addition, the countries expressed readiness to “contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait,” while saying they would welcome participation from other countries.
The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20 percent of global oil shipments pass, is a critical maritime chokepoint. Tensions have surged as Iran, currently in conflict with the United States and Israel, moves to restrict traffic in the area, raising concerns over a global energy crisis.
The joint statement is widely seen as an effort to ease tensions with U.S. President Donald Trump, who has reportedly voiced frustration over allies’ reluctance to deploy naval assets. Notably, however, the statement did not include any commitments related to military support, such as dispatching warships.
Foreign Minister Cho Hyun also declined to disclose details of diplomatic communications, saying “it is difficult to reveal the contents of discussions conducted through diplomatic channels.”
Speaking at a parliamentary session on Tuesday, he gave an ambiguous response when asked whether the United States had formally requested the deployment of naval forces.
“It could be seen as a request, or not,” Cho said.
He said the government would prioritize national interests and the safety of its citizens.
However, as other U.S. allies move swiftly to align with Washington, questions remain over how long South Korea can maintain this cautious posture.
The pressure comes after Trump said on Truth Social on March 14 that he would ask five countries to send warships to the region to keep the Strait of Hormuz “open, safe and free,” before later expanding the request to include two more.
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