SEOUL, May 03 (AJP) - A second South Korean tanker carrying crude oil has safely passed through the Red Sea and is en route to South Korea, authorities said Sunday, underscoring Seoul’s growing reliance on alternative shipping routes as the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz continues to disrupt global energy logistics.
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said Sunday the vessel had safely transited the Red Sea as of 10 a.m. after loading crude at Saudi Arabia’s Yanbu port.
It marks the second confirmed Korean tanker to use the Red Sea corridor since the Hormuz blockade intensified following the outbreak of war between the United States and Iran on Feb. 28.
The ministry said it provided around-the-clock monitoring and operational support during the passage, including real-time communication channels with the shipping company and vessel, as well as navigation safety updates.
“We supported the safety of the vessel and crew through 24-hour monitoring, provision of maritime safety information and real-time communication systems between the ministry, the shipping company and the vessel,” the ministry said in a statement. “We will continue to make every effort to stabilize domestic crude oil supplies.”
The latest voyage highlights how South Korea, heavily dependent on Middle Eastern crude imports, is cautiously testing alternative routes while many vessels remain stranded or delayed around the Persian Gulf amid lingering security concerns.
Seoul’s diplomatic efforts also intensified over the weekend. The Foreign Ministry said Foreign Minister Cho Hyun held a phone call Saturday with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi to discuss the regional situation and maritime security.
It was the third ministerial-level communication between Seoul and Tehran since the U.S.-Iran conflict erupted earlier this year. According to the ministry, the call was requested by the Iranian side.
During the talks, Araghchi explained Tehran’s position regarding ongoing negotiations with Washington, while Cho stressed the urgent need for regional stability given its impact on global security and the economy.
Cho also raised concerns over multinational vessels, including Korean ships, that remain anchored near the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing the necessity of restoring safe maritime transit for all commercial shipping.
The two sides agreed to maintain close communication.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Saturday he was reviewing Iran’s latest proposal but doubted it would be acceptable, signaling that prospects for a durable cease-fire remain fragile.
“I can’t imagine that it would be acceptable,” Trump said on Truth Social, a day after saying he was “not satisfied” with Tehran’s latest offer.
Trump later clarified that he had only been briefed on the “concept of the deal” and was awaiting the precise details.
Iran’s latest proposal reportedly softens its previous demand that Washington lift the Hormuz blockade before direct negotiations resume. According to senior Iranian officials cited by U.S. media, Tehran is now willing to reopen the strategic waterway before formal talks proceed.
The Strait of Hormuz previously handled roughly one-fifth of global oil shipments, making its disruption one of the most consequential supply shocks since the outbreak of the war.
Trump has repeatedly insisted Iran must permanently halt uranium enrichment and abandon any path toward nuclear weapons capability, while Tehran continues to defend what it calls its sovereign right to nuclear enrichment.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Friday that “the ball is now in the United States’ court,” warning that Tehran remained prepared for renewed military conflict if diplomacy failed.
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