According to a report by Ajou Economy on June 29, a family member of a crew member aboard a Korean ship that recently exited the Hormuz Strait expressed frustration over the lack of information during the four months the vessel was in the region. While the ship's safety was eventually secured, the government failed to provide even minimal updates to the anxious families left behind.
As tensions escalated in the Middle East, many vessels were stranded in the Hormuz Strait for extended periods. Following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for a ceasefire, the movement of ships that had been stuck began to accelerate, allowing some Korean vessels to leave the area.
However, the families' perception of the government's response was different. The family member stated, "While it is a relief that the ship made it out safely, the government's response was lacking."
The family member felt the most anxiety during the attack on the HMM Namoo. At that time, the media reported extensively on the 'attack on a Korean ship,' but the ship's name was not immediately confirmed. Families of other Korean vessels remaining in the area experienced extreme distress.
"On the night the Namoo was attacked, despite the flood of articles, the exact ship name was not released, and I couldn't reach my family, which caused me to hyperventilate. Every minute felt like hell," they said.
Criticism has emerged regarding the government's failure to establish a communication system for families while Korean ships were stranded in the Hormuz Strait for four months. The family member recounted, "When the blockade began on March 1, I contacted the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries for information, but was only told there were no Korean ships in the area. It was only after I provided the ship's name that I was informed the vessel at port was safe."
They continued, "After that, the government merely suggested contacting the shipping company or stated there was nothing they could do. Families never received any communication from the government or the company."
Despite the presence of Korean ships in the area, there was no initial assessment of the situation or information shared with families, leading to significant criticism. Especially in a region where the possibility of conflict or blockade was raised, it is argued that the safety of crew members and the anxiety of families should be included in crisis response measures.
The family member emphasized the need for an official communication channel to provide at least minimal information to families left behind in similar crisis situations in the future.
"In urgent disaster or conflict situations, crew members do not have the time to explain the situation to their families directly. If the government or companies could quickly share at least basic updates and safety information, it would greatly help families manage their anxiety and maintain their daily lives," they said.
They added, "There was significant disappointment in the information sharing and assessment during the initial response to the Hormuz situation. Regardless of the safe exit of the ship, the structure that left families to fend for themselves in anxiety must be improved."
Meanwhile, most of the Korean-flagged ships that were stranded in the Hormuz Strait have exited as of last week, with three out of 26 remaining. One of the remaining ships is the HMM Namoo, which was attacked last month and is currently undergoing repairs at the port of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. The other two vessels are reportedly still completing loading operations or are reassessing their transit plans due to the potential for renewed tensions between the U.S. and Iran.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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