The presidential office in Seoul on Wednesday said the ceasefire had created conditions for resuming transit through the strait, adding that the government would step up coordination with shipping companies and communication with relevant countries to facilitate the passage of Korean vessels.
“As Iran has indicated that transit will resume under coordination with its military and technical constraints, we are closely monitoring the situation and working with relevant countries to clarify specific transit methods and conditions,” an official said.
Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik, who left Tuesday as special envoy leading a Korean delegation on an energy mission to Kazakhstan, Oman and Saudi Arabia, is expected to spearhead negotiations.
The temporary truce, reached hours before a U.S. strike deadline, includes Iran allowing ship passage through the strategic waterway, a critical route for global oil shipments.
President Donald Trump said he agreed “to suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks” as long as Iran ensures “the COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz.”
Iran has attacked at least 19 vessels near the Strait — which links the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman — since the start of the war. The nearly six-week disruption has choked global crude supply and rattled markets.
On Wednesday morning, Iran’s foreign minister said, “safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be possible via coordination with Iran’s Armed Forces.”
Iran and Oman are expected to charge ships for transit during the ceasefire period, according to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency.
Iran said vessels would be allowed to pass during the two-week pause, but only under coordination with its armed forces and subject to operational restrictions — effectively maintaining control over the waterway.
Shipping industry reports suggest restrictions may go further. According to Lloyd’s List, vessels transiting the strait are increasingly required to follow procedures linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), including what industry sources describe as a de facto “toll-booth” system controlling maritime traffic. If sustained, such an arrangement would allow Iran to exert economic leverage without formally closing the strait.
Seven Korean oil tankers are awaiting safe passage, with authorities closely watching whether they can transit within the ceasefire window.
More broadly, 26 South Korea-linked vessels — including crude oil tankers, bulk carriers and gas carriers — remain stranded near the Persian Gulf, underscoring the stakes for the country’s energy security.
Around 70 percent of South Korea’s crude oil imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz, making safe passage particularly critical.
“The responsibility for the current situation and the economic damage to other countries lies with the United States and the Trump administration,” he said. “Rather than blaming Iran, the world should criticize U.S. actions driven by Israel’s demands in a region that serves as a vital global energy corridor.”
He added that restrictions could remain in place while conflict conditions persist.
“The most important issue is who controls the Strait of Hormuz. Our objective is to manage and block all military and economic elements that could benefit the enemy,” he said.
However, the ambassador said he had no specific information indicating that vessels were being required to pay tolls for transit through Iranian waters, appearing to downplay reports of such arrangements.
His deputy told AJP separately, “We did not mention the name of any vessels or any country. It is a general regulation. Our minister also said in a statement this morning that passage through the Strait of Hormuz is possible, but only through coordination with Iran’s armed forces.”
“I do not know about the technical limitations or the details,” he added. “This is not the end of the war — only a two-week ceasefire.”
While the ceasefire has eased immediate fears of escalation, Iran has also proposed measures such as transit fees and continued coordination requirements, suggesting that passage may remain controlled rather than fully restored.
The temporary nature of the truce adds further uncertainty. Officials say the two-week window is intended to allow negotiations, but it could collapse if hostilities resume.
For South Korea, the coming days may prove decisive.
If the seven oil tankers successfully transit the strait, the country could secure an estimated 14 million barrels of crude, offering relief to energy markets strained by the conflict.
However, with Iran maintaining operational control and the ceasefire limited to two weeks, shipping companies and insurers remain cautious — leaving the safe passage of Korean vessels far from assured.
Contribution by Joonha Yoo
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.