South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun announced that a South Korea-operated vessel carrying two million barrels of crude oil is crossing the Strait of Hormuz in coordination with Iranian authorities. According to Yonhap News Agency, Cho told political leaders in Seoul that discussions with Iran had been completed and the ship began its journey the previous day, proceeding through the strait with extreme caution.

Cho stated that this is the first South Korea-controlled ship to pass through the strait since the outbreak of war between Iran and the United States-Israel. The move follows an incident about two weeks earlier when another South Korean-operated vessel, the HMM Namu, was damaged by two projectiles or flying objects in the same area, leaving one crew member slightly injured.

The coordination with Iran indicates Seoul’s cautious approach to ensuring maritime safety for its vessels in a region affected by heightened conflict and security risks.

At the opening ceremony of the World Human Rights Cities Forum 2026 in Gwangju, South Korea, NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan attended as part of the party’s delegation. The sessions of the forum officially began on Wednesday, bringing together participants from various parts of the world. Among the distinguished guests was Volker Türk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Following the event, Türk expressed his delight at seeing the NCP delegation present. His office continues to work globally alongside nations and communities to combat human rights violations. The report also notes that Türk had previously visited Bangladesh during the period of the interim government.

The World Human Rights Cities Forum 2026 is expected to play an important role in improving human rights conditions in cities across the Asia-Pacific region.

Analysts believe the meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping could bring indirect benefits to South Korea. Kim Soyoung, an assistant professor at Japan’s Nagoya University of Commerce and Business, told Al Jazeera that if Xi can persuade Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, it would ease pressure on South Korea’s energy supply. The country currently faces challenges due to instability in the strait, through which most of its oil and gas imports from the Gulf region pass.

Seoul is also closely watching whether the United States alters its policy on Taiwan, as any shift could affect the broader security landscape in East Asia. Kim noted that the meeting may influence South Korea’s regional diplomatic strategy and its relations with China, which have improved somewhat under President Lee Jae-myung.

The final round of U.S.-China preparatory talks held in Seoul before the Trump-Xi meeting, attended by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Besent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, is seen as a sign of South Korea’s growing diplomatic role.

Delegations from China and the United States have begun trade discussions in South Korea, according to Chinese state media reports released on Wednesday. The meeting is taking place near Seoul’s Incheon International Airport, just hours before U.S. President Donald Trump’s scheduled visit to Beijing. No further details about the discussions have been disclosed.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had earlier confirmed plans to meet Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, both of whom have previously led multiple rounds of trade negotiations. The talks are believed to be final preparations for potential announcements expected during an upcoming summit between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Last year, Washington and Beijing imposed reciprocal tariffs exceeding 100 percent on each other’s goods, but in October they agreed in South Korea to suspend the trade war for one year.

Bessent stated that economic security is national security and announced he would travel to Beijing for the Trump-Xi summit, accompanied by more than a dozen business executives, including Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Tesla CEO Elon Musk.

South Korea will participate in a high-level multinational defense ministers’ meeting focused on ensuring security in the Hormuz Strait. The decision follows a recent attack on a South Korean-operated cargo vessel in the strategic waterway. The meeting, co-chaired by the United Kingdom and France, is scheduled to take place virtually, according to South Korea’s Yonhap news agency.

The South Korean Ministry of National Defense confirmed that Major General Woo Kyung-suk will represent the country at the conference. Discussions are expected to center on maintaining maritime safety and ensuring the smooth passage of vessels through the strait. The move reflects Seoul’s effort to reassess its strategic position in the region following the incident.

The meeting underscores growing international concern over maritime security in one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes, where disruptions could have significant global trade implications.

A new study in South Korea has found that smartwatches can warn users several minutes before they faint. Conducted jointly by Chung-Ang University Gwangmyeong Hospital, the research focused on detecting vasovagal syncope, a condition that causes sudden drops in heart rate and blood pressure leading to fainting. The findings, published in the European Heart Journal Digital Health, mark the first successful attempt to predict fainting using a commercial smartwatch.

The study used Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 6, which monitored participants’ heart rate variability and biosignals through its photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor. Data from 132 patients suspected of having vasovagal syncope were analyzed using an AI-based prediction model. The system achieved an accuracy rate of about 84.6 percent, with 90 percent sensitivity and 64 percent specificity.

Researchers noted that early warnings could help patients sit down, move to a safe place, or seek help in time, reducing the risk of injury from sudden falls.

South Korea has extended its temporary ban on stockpiling petroleum products for another two months, the country’s Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol announced. The decision comes as global energy supply concerns persist due to instability in the Middle East. The measure, initially imposed in March to prevent unfair trading, was set to expire next week but will now remain in effect for two additional months.

According to the state news agency Yonhap, the government introduced the restriction earlier this year to curb speculative hoarding of fuel products. The extension aims to stabilize the domestic energy market and ensure fair distribution amid fears of supply disruptions caused by ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.

Officials described the move as a precautionary step to mitigate potential risks to South Korea’s energy security while monitoring global developments closely.

South Korea announced it will reassess its position on joining a United States-led operation in the Strait of Hormuz following an explosion aboard a South Korean cargo ship. The incident occurred Monday on the vessel HMM Namu, causing a fire that has since been brought under control. All 24 crew members, including six South Korean nationals, were reported safe. US President Donald Trump urged Seoul to join the American initiative aimed at securing stranded ships in the vital waterway.

The South Korean Ministry of Defense stated that any decision will be made cautiously, taking into account international law, global maritime security, the alliance with the United States, and the overall security situation on the Korean Peninsula. The Foreign Ministry confirmed that Seoul is actively participating in international discussions to ensure safe navigation through the strait.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical route for South Korea’s energy imports, and maritime traffic there has been severely disrupted since the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East on February 28.

A South Korean-operated bulk carrier caught fire in the engine room while anchored in the Strait of Hormuz near the United Arab Emirates, according to reports on May 5, 2026. The South Korean Foreign Ministry stated that the cause of the fire will be determined once the vessel is brought to port. All 24 crew members, including 18 foreigners and six South Koreans, were reported safe with no casualties.

South Korean news agency Yonhap reported that an explosion occurred aboard the ship while it was anchored in the waters near the UAE. U.S. President Donald Trump claimed on his social media platform that Iran had fired at the vessel, but the ship’s operator, HMM, has not confirmed any attack. An HMM employee told Yonhap that it remains unclear whether the explosion resulted from an external assault or an internal malfunction.

The vessel is expected to be towed to Dubai in the coming days for damage assessment and a full investigation to determine the exact cause of the incident.

A South Korean bulk carrier experienced an explosion and fire while sailing through the Strait of Hormuz, according to the shipping company HMM. The company said the fire started in the ship’s engine room, and an investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the incident. South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the explosion and fire, noting that 24 crew members were on board, including 18 foreign nationals and six South Koreans.

Authorities have not yet released details on casualties or the extent of the damage. Officials stated that monitoring efforts are in place and necessary measures are being taken to ensure the safety of the crew. The incident has raised concern within the international shipping industry, given the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz as one of the world’s key maritime trade routes.

Investigations continue to identify the exact cause of the explosion and fire, as global shipping stakeholders watch developments closely.

A South Korean appeals court has increased the prison sentence of former president Yoon Suk Yeol from five to seven years. The ruling, delivered on Wednesday, found Yoon guilty of obstructing judicial proceedings by using members of the presidential security service to prevent his arrest. The decision follows a January lower court verdict that had sentenced him to five years in prison.

Both Yoon and prosecutors had appealed the earlier ruling. Yoon argued that the arrest warrant issued against him was based on an unlawful investigation, while special prosecutors sought a ten-year sentence, citing the seriousness of his offenses. The Seoul High Court judge stated that Yoon’s actions and their consequences were “highly reprehensible,” noting that he had issued illegal orders to state security officials and attempted to use them as personal bodyguards.

Yoon is already serving a life sentence for leading an attempted coup related to a failed martial law declaration in late 2024, according to the report.

The South Korean Air Force has issued an apology for a 2021 midair collision between two F-15K fighter jets near Daegu. According to a report released Wednesday by the national audit and inspection board, the crash occurred after a pilot attempted to take selfies and record videos during flight. The Air Force spokesperson expressed regret for the incident and confirmed that one of the involved pilots was temporarily suspended from flight duties, faced disciplinary action, and later left the military.

Investigators found that the wingman pilot tried to commemorate his final flight with the unit by taking photos. To improve the camera angle, he tilted and raised the aircraft without authorization, while another pilot filmed from the lead jet. As the planes drew too close, both pilots attempted to avoid collision, but the wingman’s tail struck the lead jet’s wing. No injuries were reported.

The Air Force stated it is tightening flight safety regulations and implementing measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

South Korea has secured the import of 273 million barrels of crude oil from Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kazakhstan, according to the country’s presidential chief of staff, Kang Hoon-sik. He stated that based on last year’s consumption levels, this volume would allow the economy to operate normally for more than three months without additional emergency measures. Kang also confirmed that South Korea has secured 2.1 million tons of naphtha during the same period.

The move comes as South Korea faces severe challenges due to the ongoing conflict between Iran and the Israel–United States alliance. Approximately 70 percent of South Korea’s imported crude oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime route now subject to strict navigation restrictions imposed by both Tehran and Washington. These restrictions have prompted Seoul to diversify its energy supply sources.

The new import agreements are expected to help stabilize South Korea’s energy security and reduce immediate risks linked to disruptions in Middle Eastern oil shipments.

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has warned that escalating tensions around the Strait of Hormuz could have lasting effects on global energy supplies and supply chains. Speaking at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, he said instability in global energy and raw material markets is now inevitable and likely to persist for an extended period.

Lee emphasized that the current situation will continue to cause disruptions in global energy and raw material supply chains and maintain high oil prices. He called for the rapid development of alternative supply routes and structural changes in the industrial sector to mitigate the impact.

The president further stated that building alternative supply chains, pursuing medium- and long-term industrial restructuring, and transitioning toward a post-plastic economy should be treated as national strategic priorities.

South Korea has decided to send a new special envoy to Tehran to safeguard its citizens and commercial vessels amid the ongoing Iran-Israel war. The decision was confirmed by South Korea’s official news agency Yonhap. Former ambassador to Kuwait, Chung Byung-ha, has been appointed to the post and is expected to depart for Tehran soon.

According to Yonhap, Chung’s primary responsibility will be to coordinate the safe passage of South Korean ships and ensure the security of nationals in the Middle East during the conflict. He will particularly focus on resolving issues related to South Korean commercial ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz. The appointment came a day after a phone conversation between South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

The Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s key energy supply routes, has seen severe disruption due to the Iran–United States–Israel conflict. Yonhap reported that at least 26 South Korea-linked commercial vessels are currently stranded there, posing a major challenge for the new envoy.