Korea is in close talks with the United States and other partner countries on “multiple fronts” over its potential contributions to ensuring the security of the Strait of Hormuz, a senior presidential official said Friday. The official’s remark came as the U.S. has stepped up its call for allies and partner countries, including Korea and Japan, to join efforts to keep open the key waterway where 20 percent of global oil and gas pass through. The shipping channel has effectively been shut down as the war between U.S.-Israeli forces and Iran has intensified. “Regarding the ways for us to contribute in relation to the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, we are in close communication with the United States and other key partners and holding consultations with them on multiple fronts,” the official said. “We are seeking a range of options that best serve our national interests,” the official said. The official noted the possibility of a prolonged conflict in the Middle East, a scenario that could directly impact Korea’s energy supply if the shipping disruptions persist in the Strait of Hormuz. A
