South Korea opposes Iran’s reported plan to charge Hormuz transit fees

South Korea’s oceans minister is opposed to Iran’s reported move to impose fees on ships passing through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, calling the action a violation of international law, media reports said Friday, Anadolu reports. Speaking at a news conference in the southeastern port city of Busan, Hwang Jong-woo said the waterway is an international shipping route where free navigation must be guaranteed, according to Yonhap News. “Charging shipping tolls in the strait is practically equivalent to blocking the waterway,” said Hwang, adding that, unlike the man-made Suez Canal, the Strait of Hormuz consists of international waters protected under international agreements. On Wednesday, Iran’s parliamentary National Security and Foreign Policy Commission head Ebrahim Azizi said a strategic proposal […]