According to a report by Aju Economy on June 29, a family member of a crew member aboard a recently departed Korean ship from the Hormuz Strait expressed frustration over the lack of information provided to families left behind during the vessel's four-month stay in the region. Despite the ship's safety, the government failed to offer even minimal updates to anxious families.
As tensions escalated in the Middle East, numerous 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 these vessels began to accelerate, allowing some Korean ships to exit the strait.
However, the families' perception of the government's response was starkly different. The family member stated, "While we are relieved that the ship made it out safely, the government's response was lacking."
The family member recounted their greatest anxiety occurring during the attack on the HMM Namoo. Although media outlets reported on the incident, the ship's name was not immediately confirmed, leaving families of other Korean vessels in the area in a state of extreme distress.
"On the night the Namoo was attacked, amidst the flood of articles, the exact ship name was not disclosed, and I could not reach my family, which caused me to hyperventilate. Every minute felt like an eternity," they said.
Critics have pointed out that during the four months Korean vessels were trapped in the Hormuz Strait, the government's communication system for families was non-functional. The family member noted, "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 vessels in the area. It was only after I provided the ship's name that I learned the vessel docked at the port was safe."
They continued, "After that, the government responded by saying to contact the shipping company or that there was nothing they could do. Families never received any communication from the government or the company."
Despite the presence of Korean vessels in the area, there was no initial assessment or information sharing with families, leading to criticism. Particularly in a region where the possibility of conflict or blockade was discussed, it is essential to include not only the safety of crew members but also the concerns of families in crisis response measures.
The family member emphasized the need for an official communication channel for families left behind in future crises to receive at least minimal information.
"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 stated.
They added, "The initial response to the Hormuz situation left much to be desired in terms of information sharing and situation assessment. Regardless of the safe exit of the vessel, the structure that left families to fend for themselves in anxiety must be improved."
Meanwhile, most of the Korean vessels that were stranded in the Hormuz Strait have now departed, with three remaining out of 26. One of the remaining vessels 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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