Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff likely to join video conference… Defense Ministry reviewing ways to coordinate with partner countries
South Korea has agreed to join a multinational military meeting, at France's request, to discuss navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
Seoul's military said it recently received a request from France to participate in a multinational forum aimed at restoring normal navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
After reviewing that request, the government decided to take part in the initial talks.
Officials said the meeting will be held soon and that Joint Chiefs Chairman Jin Yeong-seung is expected to join by video conference.
A Defense Ministry official said, \"Safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz is vital to the security and economies of countries including South Korea.\" The official added that the ministry is closely monitoring international developments related to the strait and is evaluating ways to coordinate more tightly with partner nations.
Earlier, Reuters reported on March 25 (local time), citing a French military official, that Fabien Mangdong, chairman of France's joint chiefs, plans to hold a technical video conference soon with military leaders from countries seeking to help restore navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
Foreign media report that France and the U.K. are leading multinational efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The move is described as preparatory, intended to ensure necessary measures can be taken once large-scale fighting between the U.S. and Israel on one side and Iran on the other has ended and the situation stabilizes.
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Jeong Young-bin (jyb21@yna.co.kr)
