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President Lee Jae Myung said Tuesday that all but two South Korean-operated vessels have left the Strait of Hormuz, where they had been stranded amid the U.S.-Iran war. The two that remain have circumstances that prevent them from leaving, he said during a Cabinet meeting at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul.

Coverage Comparison

Yonhap News Agency reported the president's remarks in two separate articles. In the first, dated June 26, Lee said he expected three more vessels to exit the waterway by the end of that weekend, leaving only two unable to leave due to other issues. In the second, dated June 30, Lee confirmed that all but two vessels had indeed departed.

The vessels' departures came after the United States and Iran signed a preliminary deal on June 17, ahead of a final peace agreement to end their war, according to Yonhap.

Key Claims

  • All but two South Korean-operated vessels have left the Strait of Hormuz, with the two remaining vessels facing circumstances that prevent their departure.
  • The vessels' departures followed a preliminary U.S.-Iran deal signed on June 17.
  • President Lee cautioned that the crisis is not yet over, as a considerable amount of time will be required to fully bring the world economy back to normal, even after a peace agreement is signed.
  • The Namu, operated by HMM Co., was damaged in early May after being attacked by what the government said were likely anti-ship missiles developed by Iran.
  • Three more vessels were expected to exit the strait, leaving only two that were unable to leave.

Perspectives

Government of South Korea

President Lee Jae Myung expressed cautious optimism about the vessel departures and praised the efforts of the foreign ministry, the National Security Office, and the National Intelligence Service. He also urged continued vigilance, saying the crisis is not over and called for diversifying energy and raw material supply chains.