[Anchor]
The chiefs of the joint chiefs of staff from 35 countries, including South Korea, joined a video conference.
On the same day, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun held talks with senior officials from major countries, including the United States, on the margins of the G7 foreign ministers’ meetings in Paris.
The discussions centered on safeguarding navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and lowering tensions across the Middle East.
Reporter Minah Kim reports.
[Reporter]
On March 26 local time, France hosted a video conference of the chiefs of the joint chiefs of staff from 35 countries.
The French Ministry of Defense said it had collected positions from nations willing to join a collective effort to help secure maritime navigation.
It described the meeting as defensive in nature and unrelated to offensive military operations, stressing the objective is to restore safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz once hostilities cease.
The ministry emphasized the meeting is separate from U.S. requests for allied states, including South Korea, to deploy warships.
South Korea was represented by Joint Chiefs Chairman Jin Yeong-seung.
A Joint Chiefs official said, \"This meeting reflected a shared understanding that safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz is vital to each country’s security and economy. We will continue to monitor international developments closely and maintain communication.\"
Foreign ministers who gathered in Paris for the G7 talks also held discussions on the Middle East.
Foreign Minister Cho Hyun met with Allison Hooker, the U.S. State Department’s undersecretary for political affairs, who was the U.S. lead representative.
Cho stressed the urgency of guaranteeing safe navigation for all vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz and of implementing measures to ease tensions so supply chains can normalize.
He also exchanged views with EU and other European foreign ministers on the regional situation.
Seoul, however, is maintaining a cautious stance and is reviewing several options.
Park Il, Foreign Ministry spokesperson (March 26): \"The Strait of Hormuz issue is shaped by U.S.-Iran negotiation dynamics, the positions of related countries, and discussions at international bodies such as the U.N. and the IMO. The government will carefully review all factors and do everything possible to secure the safety of our vessels and seafarers.\"
Given operational realities, Seoul is considering roles such as maritime surveillance rather than direct military support.
Analysts also expect diplomatic working groups could be created alongside the chiefs-of-staff channel.
This is Minah Kim for Yonhap News TV.
[Video editing: Yoon Hyun-jung]
[Video reporting: Kim Dong-hwa]
[Graphics: Nam Jin-hee]
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Minah Kim (goldmina@yna.co.kr)
