"The government initially stated that there were no Korean ships in the area, and only after we provided the ship's name did they confirm its safety. Since then, the responses have repeatedly suggested contacting the shipping company. I believe the government's understanding of the situation and response were inadequate."
According to a report by Ajou Economics on the 29th, a family member of a crew member aboard a Korean ship that recently exited the Hormuz Strait expressed that their family was left in a state of information void for nearly four months while the ship was in the region. Concerns have been raised that the government failed to provide even minimal updates to families who were anxious about the safety of their loved ones.
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 in the area began to accelerate, allowing some Korean vessels to leave.
However, the families of the crew members felt differently about the government's response. 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's greatest anxiety arose 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 could not reach my family, which caused me to hyperventilate. Every minute felt like hell," the family member recounted.
Criticism has emerged regarding the lack of a communication system from the government to families while Korean ships remained in the Hormuz Strait for about four months. The family member noted, "When the blockade of Hormuz began on March 1, I contacted the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to understand the situation, but I was only told that there were no Korean ships in the area. It was only after I provided the name of the ship that I was informed that the vessel docked at the port was safe."
They continued, "After that, the government suggested contacting the shipping company or stated that 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 sharing with families, leading to criticism. In particular, it has been pointed out that in situations where ships are stranded in areas where combat or blockades are possible, the safety of crew members and the anxiety of families back home 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 of crew members left behind in similar crisis situations in the future.
"In urgent disaster or combat 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 left behind to reduce their anxiety and maintain their daily lives," they said.
They added, "There was significant disappointment in the information sharing and situation assessment during the initial response to the Hormuz incident. Regardless of the safe exit of the ship, the structure that left families to endure anxiety on their own must be improved."
Meanwhile, most of the Korean vessels that were stranded in the Hormuz Strait have exited, with three out of 26 remaining as of last week. One of the remaining vessels is the HMM Namoo, which was attacked last month and is currently undergoing repairs at the port in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The other two vessels are reportedly either completing loading operations or reassessing their transit plans in light of the recent escalation of tensions between the U.S. and Iran.
Response to 'Interview with Families of Crew Members in Hormuz' Article
This news agency reported on June 30 in its print and online editions an article titled "Government Claimed 'No Ships' and Changed Its Tune After Ship Names Were Provided... 'Contact the Shipping Company' Repeatedly."
In response, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries stated, "Since the blockade of the Hormuz Strait began on February 28, we have been operating an emergency response team 24 hours a day to manage the situation continuously, and since March 3, we have established an 'Emergency Counseling and Communication Room' for crew members and their families to address their concerns through 24-hour phone and email consultations."
The Ministry also noted, "Since the outbreak of war, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and other government departments, along with shipping companies, ship crews, and labor unions, have been working as a unified team to ensure the safety of crew members and vessels."
This report is in accordance with the mediation of the Press Arbitration Commission.
* This article has been translated by AI.
According to a report by Ajou Economics on the 29th, a family member of a crew member aboard a Korean ship that recently exited the Hormuz Strait expressed that their family was left in a state of information void for nearly four months while the ship was in the region. Concerns have been raised that the government failed to provide even minimal updates to families who were anxious about the safety of their loved ones.
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 in the area began to accelerate, allowing some Korean vessels to leave.
However, the families of the crew members felt differently about the government's response. 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's greatest anxiety arose 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 could not reach my family, which caused me to hyperventilate. Every minute felt like hell," the family member recounted.
Criticism has emerged regarding the lack of a communication system from the government to families while Korean ships remained in the Hormuz Strait for about four months. The family member noted, "When the blockade of Hormuz began on March 1, I contacted the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to understand the situation, but I was only told that there were no Korean ships in the area. It was only after I provided the name of the ship that I was informed that the vessel docked at the port was safe."
They continued, "After that, the government suggested contacting the shipping company or stated that 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 sharing with families, leading to criticism. In particular, it has been pointed out that in situations where ships are stranded in areas where combat or blockades are possible, the safety of crew members and the anxiety of families back home 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 of crew members left behind in similar crisis situations in the future.
"In urgent disaster or combat 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 left behind to reduce their anxiety and maintain their daily lives," they said.
They added, "There was significant disappointment in the information sharing and situation assessment during the initial response to the Hormuz incident. Regardless of the safe exit of the ship, the structure that left families to endure anxiety on their own must be improved."
Meanwhile, most of the Korean vessels that were stranded in the Hormuz Strait have exited, with three out of 26 remaining as of last week. One of the remaining vessels is the HMM Namoo, which was attacked last month and is currently undergoing repairs at the port in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The other two vessels are reportedly either completing loading operations or reassessing their transit plans in light of the recent escalation of tensions between the U.S. and Iran.
Response to 'Interview with Families of Crew Members in Hormuz' Article
This news agency reported on June 30 in its print and online editions an article titled "Government Claimed 'No Ships' and Changed Its Tune After Ship Names Were Provided... 'Contact the Shipping Company' Repeatedly."
In response, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries stated, "Since the blockade of the Hormuz Strait began on February 28, we have been operating an emergency response team 24 hours a day to manage the situation continuously, and since March 3, we have established an 'Emergency Counseling and Communication Room' for crew members and their families to address their concerns through 24-hour phone and email consultations."
The Ministry also noted, "Since the outbreak of war, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and other government departments, along with shipping companies, ship crews, and labor unions, have been working as a unified team to ensure the safety of crew members and vessels."
This report is in accordance with the mediation of the Press Arbitration Commission.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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