President Moon Jae-in has ordered pan-governmental dialogue to resolve Iran's seizure of a South Korean oil tanker.
Presidential spokesperson Kang Min-seok said in a written briefing on Tuesday that Moon issued the order as he was briefed on the matter the previous day by National Security Office(NSO) Director Suh Hoon soon after Iran's Revolutionary Guards seized the ship carrying 20 crew members in the Strait of Hormuz.
Kang said Moon asked the NSO to closely communicate with related ministries and agencies on how to respond.
Noting that the South Korean government is taking the issue gravely, the spokesperson said related ministries, including the foreign, oceans and defense ministries, have held urgent, virtual meetings from Monday.
Kang said the government is also discussing coordinated measures through meetings involving the NSO, National Intelligence Service and ministries.
The National Security Council also discussed possible responses at a working-level meeting on Tuesday.