A total of 186 Korean sailors are confirmed to be aboard vessels stranded near the Strait of Hormuz as the war involving the United States, Israel, and Iran intensifies.
Vice Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Kim Seong-beom reported this at an emergency inter-ministerial meeting on the Middle East situation on the 4th. Twenty-six Korean-flagged vessels are currently positioned inside the Strait of Hormuz, carrying 597 crew members including 144 Koreans. Adding 42 Korean sailors aboard foreign vessels brings the total to 186 personnel waiting at sea.
The area inside the Strait of Hormuz refers to the Persian Gulf, north of Oman's Musandam Peninsula. Maritime transport in this region has effectively halted following Iran's blockade of the strait.
"These numbers may change somewhat as we conduct additional verification," Vice Minister Kim said. "The Ministry is maintaining real-time communication with shipping companies and vessels, closely monitoring ship locations, safety status, remaining provisions including food supplies, and crew rotation schedules."
The Ministry announced plans to strengthen support for stranded sailors, including operating counseling and communication channels. It has released the Seafarer Policy Division's direct phone number to enable sailors to communicate directly with officials.
"In high-risk areas like the Strait of Hormuz, sailors can request disembarkation, and shipping companies are required to bear repatriation costs," Vice Minister Kim said. "We understand that no disembarkation requests have been filed at this stage."
However, the Ministry said it is discussing with shipping companies contingency plans for prolonged tensions, including resupply of daily necessities and repatriation procedures for sailors after disembarkation.