Korean vessel departs Hormuz Strait for the first time... "Negotiated with Iran, no toll paid"

¬ The MANU, a vessel belonging to HMM, was attacked; one of 26 ships trapped

On the afternoon of the 20th local time, the ultra-large crude oil tanker "UNIVERSAL WINNER," operated by South Korea's largest shipping company HMM, departed from the Hormuz Strait, which has been effectively blockaded by Iran. This marks the first time in 81 days that a ship linked to South Korea has passed through the strait since the U.S.-Iran war outbreak at the end of February left 26 South Korean-related vessels stranded there. The South Korean-flagged UNIVERSAL WINNER is carrying 2 million barrels of crude oil and will dock at Ulsan.

Later that day, South Korea's Foreign Minister Cho Hyun-jae stated at a parliamentary committee meeting on foreign affairs and unification: "Through negotiations with Iran, a South Korean oil tanker is now departing the Hormuz Strait," adding, "An agreement has been reached with the Iranian government, and it began its journey yesterday with great caution (through the strait)." Bloomberg also reported: "The UNIVERSAL WINNER, carrying crude oil from Kuwait, started transmitting signals on the morning of the 20th and entered the approved southern passage of the Hormuz Strait near Iran’s Laraki Island."

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the evening of the 18th, Iran notified the South Korean government via the South Korean embassy in Iran that the UNIVERSAL WINNER "may pass through the Hormuz Strait." After internal discussions within the shipping company, the vessel set sail early on the 19th near Qatar, following Iran's designated route and successfully cleared the Hormuz Strait on the 20th, reaching the Omani Gulf—a region considered safe. It is reported that the ship carries approximately 10 South Korean crew members.

The government stated that no additional "toll fees" or similar payments were made to Iran during this process. Additionally, it is understood that South Korea had previously consulted with both Iran and the United States. According to government sources, "no payment was made to Iran," and "key issues are being closely coordinated with the United States." The government maintains that Iran's approval for the South Korean vessel to pass through has no connection with the attack on the HMM-operated MANU vessel that occurred on the 4th.

However, some analysts believe Iran may have allowed the vessel to pass precisely because of the earlier attack on the MANU. On March 11, a container ship owned by Japan's Mitsui O.S.K. Lines was attacked, suffering damage similar to that of the MANU. Subsequently, three vessels associated with the same company successfully passed through the strait between April 3 and 6. The South Korean government plans to continue negotiating with Iran while investigating the truth behind the MANU incident, aiming to assist the remaining 25 trapped vessels in safely exiting the Hormuz Strait.

Source: Chosun Ilbo

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1865762491955200/

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