(LEAD) Gov't holds meeting on potential evacuation of S. Korean vessels in Hormuz Strait | Yonhap News Agency

## Summary
OK (ATTN: ADDS remarks, details in last 2 paras) SEOUL, March 18 (Yonhap) -- The foreign ministry said Wednesday it held an interagency meeting to assess the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and discuss ways to ensure the safety of South Korean ships and crew members operating in the area. In the meeting attended by officials from the oceans and defense ministries, the Coast Guard and diplomatic missions in the Middle East, participants discussed the current situation and support measures for a possible evacuation, the ministry said. Government officials hold a meeting in Seoul on March 18, 2026, to discuss the safety of South Korean ships and crew members in the Strait of Hormuz, in this photo provided by the foreign ministry. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) Meanwhile, a ministry official said the government is closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East and relevant countries, following U.S. President Donald Trump's remarks that the United States no longer needs assistance from North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies, South Korea, Japan or Australia to secure the Strait of Hormuz. "While closely monitoring the Middle East political situation and movements of relevant countries, the government is seeking, under comprehensive consideration, ways to protect our nationals and secure the safety of the energy transport route," the official said, saying that Seoul anticipates the swift normalization of the global maritime supply chain. mlee@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles Gov't raises crude oil supply disruption alert to Level 2 Half of bond market experts predict consumer prices to rise due to Middle East turmoil Gov't cooperating with shipbuilders to prevent disruption in ethylene supplies Gov't to temporarily designate naphtha as economic security item amid supply woes Keywords #Strait of Hormuz Articles with issue keywords Most Liked 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life Ex-U.S. officials voice concerns about Trump gov't 'vacating' deterrence assets from Indo-Pacific amid Iran war Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms Police vow zero tolerance for terror threats against BTS comeback concert (2nd LD) N.

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(ATTN: ADDS remarks, details in last 2 paras)
SEOUL, March 18 (Yonhap) -- The foreign ministry said Wednesday it held an interagency meeting to assess the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and discuss ways to ensure the safety of South Korean ships and crew members operating in the area.
In the meeting attended by officials from the oceans and defense ministries, the Coast Guard and diplomatic missions in the Middle East, participants discussed the current situation and support measures for a possible evacuation, the ministry said.
Participants said they will continue to monitor the safety and health of crew members and review possible evacuation plans in the event the situation worsens.
Government officials hold a meeting in Seoul on March 18, 2026, to discuss the safety of South Korean ships and crew members in the Strait of Hormuz, in this photo provided by the foreign ministry. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Meanwhile, a ministry official said the government is closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East and relevant countries, following U.S. President Donald Trump's remarks that the United States no longer needs assistance from North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies, South Korea, Japan or Australia to secure the Strait of Hormuz.
"While closely monitoring the Middle East political situation and movements of relevant countries, the government is seeking, under comprehensive consideration, ways to protect our nationals and secure the safety of the energy transport route," the official said, saying that Seoul anticipates the swift normalization of the global maritime supply chain.
mlee@yna.co.kr
(END)
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(LEAD) Gov't holds meeting on potential evacuation of S. Korean vessels in Hormuz Strait
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(LEAD) Gov't holds meeting on potential evacuation of S. Korean vessels in Hormuz Strait

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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
- President Donald Trump's remarks that the United States no longer needs assistance from North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies, South Korea, Japan or Australia to secure the Strait of Hormuz. "While closely monitoring the Middle East political situation and movements of relevant countries, the government is seeking, under comprehensive consideration, ways to protect our nationals and secure the safety of the energy transport route," the official said, saying that Seoul anticipates the swift normalization of the global maritime supply chain. mlee@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles Gov't raises crude oil supply disruption alert to Level 2 Half of bond market experts predict consumer prices to rise due to Middle East turmoil Gov't cooperating with shipbuilders to prevent disruption in ethylene supplies Gov't to temporarily designate naphtha as economic security item amid supply woes Keywords #Strait of Hormuz Articles with issue keywords Most Liked 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life Ex-U.S. officials voice concerns about Trump gov't 'vacating' deterrence assets from Indo-Pacific amid Iran war Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms Police vow zero tolerance for terror threats against BTS comeback concert (2nd LD) N.

### Areas for Consideration
- President Donald Trump's remarks that the United States no longer needs assistance from North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies, South Korea, Japan or Australia to secure the Strait of Hormuz. "While closely monitoring the Middle East political situation and movements of relevant countries, the government is seeking, under comprehensive consideration, ways to protect our nationals and secure the safety of the energy transport route," the official said, saying that Seoul anticipates the swift normalization of the global maritime supply chain. mlee@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles Gov't raises crude oil supply disruption alert to Level 2 Half of bond market experts predict consumer prices to rise due to Middle East turmoil Gov't cooperating with shipbuilders to prevent disruption in ethylene supplies Gov't to temporarily designate naphtha as economic security item amid supply woes Keywords #Strait of Hormuz Articles with issue keywords Most Liked 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life Ex-U.S. officials voice concerns about Trump gov't 'vacating' deterrence assets from Indo-Pacific amid Iran war Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms Police vow zero tolerance for terror threats against BTS comeback concert (2nd LD) N.

### Implications
- Participants said they will continue to monitor the safety and health of crew members and review possible evacuation plans in the event the situation worsens.
- President Donald Trump's remarks that the United States no longer needs assistance from North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies, South Korea, Japan or Australia to secure the Strait of Hormuz. "While closely monitoring the Middle East political situation and movements of relevant countries, the government is seeking, under comprehensive consideration, ways to protect our nationals and secure the safety of the energy transport route," the official said, saying that Seoul anticipates the swift normalization of the global maritime supply chain. mlee@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles Gov't raises crude oil supply disruption alert to Level 2 Half of bond market experts predict consumer prices to rise due to Middle East turmoil Gov't cooperating with shipbuilders to prevent disruption in ethylene supplies Gov't to temporarily designate naphtha as economic security item amid supply woes Keywords #Strait of Hormuz Articles with issue keywords Most Liked 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life Ex-U.S. officials voice concerns about Trump gov't 'vacating' deterrence assets from Indo-Pacific amid Iran war Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms Police vow zero tolerance for terror threats against BTS comeback concert (2nd LD) N.
- Korea, U.S. conduct joint drills Most Saved 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms (2nd LD) N.
- Korea, U.S. conduct joint drills Ex-U.S. officials voice concerns about Trump gov't 'vacating' deterrence assets from Indo-Pacific amid Iran war (LEAD) N.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers korea, gov, strait topics. Notable strengths include discussion of korea. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 589.