Despite the two-week ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran, the dark clouds of geopolitical uncertainty hanging over the Strait of Hormuz have not lifted. On the 9th, the day after the ceasefire announcement, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) declared a re-blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, characterizing Israel's airstrikes on Lebanon the previous day as a ceasefire violation. Additionally, citing the possibility of mine collisions, Iran demanded that all vessels follow designated routes within the strait, forcing transiting ships to bear the additional risk of following alternative routes to avoid mines. The United States has also warned that "there will be consequences if Iran breaks the agreement to fully open the strait," indicating the ceasefire is already significantly shaky from the outset.
Amid these developments, concerns are growing that freedom of navigation—a crucial pillar of global order—could crumble as the United States has floated the idea of jointly imposing transit tolls on the Strait of Hormuz with Iran. In a phone call with an ABC News reporter on the 8th, U.S. President Donald Trump said, "I am thinking about pursuing toll collection on the Strait of Hormuz as a joint venture with Iran," adding that "it could be a way to protect the strait from many other forces." The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) clearly stipulates freedom of navigation on the high seas. Nevertheless, the imposition of transit fees on a strait used for free international navigation—with the United States and Iran seeking to secure control of the strait and secure reconstruction funds—constitutes a clear violation of international law and an absurd act far beyond common sense.
If the Hormuz Strait toll becomes reality, South Korea, which depends on this sea route for 70 percent of its crude oil imports and 20 percent of its liquefied natural gas (LNG), would face devastating damage. The government must emphasize that toll collection is an act that shakes the global trade order and actively align itself with international efforts demanding freedom of navigation. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun announced on the 9th, following a phone call with his Iranian counterpart, that a special envoy would be dispatched to Iran to discuss bilateral issues. While making every effort in behind-the-scenes negotiations with Iran, a cautious approach to the toll issue is required. Despite the ceasefire agreement, the possibility cannot be ruled out that a peace agreement may not be easily reached due to President Trump's unpredictable actions and the hardline response from Iran's supreme leadership. This is a time when South Korea must thoroughly prepare for unpredictable variables while making every effort to secure freedom of navigation and protect national interests through international cooperation.
