'Nuclear issue is the important part of follow-up talks — we are watching closely'

President Lee Jae Myung. [Yonhap]
President Lee Jae Myung. [Yonhap]

Cheong Wa Dae welcomed the effective end of the US-Iran war after 106 days on Sunday, as President Lee Jae Myung was on an official visit to the Vatican.

A senior Cheong Wa Dae official told reporters at a press center set up in Rome that the deal carried particular significance for South Korea. "It includes the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, which makes it all the more meaningful for us," the official said.

The official added that it remained to be seen how quickly the strait would reopen, but described the agreement as "a welcome development and progress in a desirable direction."

However, the official cautioned that the nuclear issue remained a critical element of the follow-up talks. "The nuclear question is the important part of the subsequent negotiations, and depending on how it is resolved, it could affect the truce itself — so we are continuing to watch closely," the official said.

The United States and Iran agreed Sunday on a memorandum of understanding to end the war. President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that day: "The negotiations with Iran are now complete. Congratulations to everyone." He added that he was approving the full opening of the Strait of Hormuz toll-free and simultaneously authorizing the immediate lifting of the US naval blockade.

The formal signing is set to take place in Geneva, Switzerland, on June 19. After the signing, the Strait of Hormuz will open, and the two sides will enter 60 days of negotiations over Iran's nuclear development and the lifting of sanctions.


sang@heraldcorp.com