South Korea is closely monitoring US President Donald Trump's call for Seoul and other nations to send warships to protect oil supplies passing through the Strait of Hormuz. This follows attacks and threats by Tehran since the US-Israeli war against Iran began on February 28, which have nearly halted shipping in the vital strait.
Key points
- Trump named South Korea and Japan among countries he hoped would send warships to keep the Strait of Hormuz open.
- Seoul stated it is carefully considering the matter in consultation with the United States.
- Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party policy chief, Mr Takayuki Kobayashi, said the threshold for sending Japanese navy ships is 'extremely high'.
- South Korea has already imposed a fuel price cap due to the war's impact on energy supply, the first such measure since 1997.
Why it matters
The Strait of Hormuz is critical for global energy imports, with one-fifth of global oil supplies normally passing through it, making its security vital for energy-reliant economies like South Korea.
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