[News Today] “No longer need to join ‘Project Freedom’”

[LEAD]

With the United States suspending 'Project Freedom', its vessel rescue operation in the Strait of Hormuz, South Korea no longer needs to consider whether to take part.

The government has maintained a cautious stance amid continued U.S. pressure to join related operations. But questions are growing over how long that position can hold.

[REPORT]

Cheong Wa Dae's answer to the U.S. urging Korea to participate in Project Freedom was that the government would review its stance after considering factors including domestic laws.

But now that Washington's operation has been suspended, the government concluded that Korea no longer needs to think about participating in the project.

Nonetheless, Seoul decided to keep exploring the possibility of joining the Maritime Freedom Construct proposed by Washington.

That's because Korea is already taking part in other international efforts to ensure freedom of navigation.

For now, Seoul is focusing on finding out how the fire started on the Korean cargo ship 'Namu'.

The Korean government remains cautious on determining or concluding that the Korean vessel was attacked.

President Lee Jae Myung also refrained from mentioning the U.S. proposal and announcements in detail even while getting briefed on the 'Namu' situation.

Lee Jae Myung / President

U.S. President Trump said officially that the war, the attacks are suspended? Ended?

Cho Hyun / Minister of Foreign Affairs

He might try to resume fighting after ending the war to avoid the 60-day deadline.

As the situation in the Strait of Hormuz keeps changing, Korea decided to not to make any rash comments.

Although the Korean government sent a special envoy to Iran in pursuit of 'balanced diplomacy', it would inevitably have to adjust future responses depending on the findings from the 'Namu' explosion investigation.