Eight more South Korean ships exit Hormuz, ministry says Eight additional South Korean vessels have departed the Strait of Hormuz as security concerns persist in the strategic waterway, Reuters, citing South Korea's oceans ministry, reported.  The latest departures come after Iran's Persian Gulf Strait Authority warned ships against using unauthorised routes through the strait and the UN's International Maritime Organisation suspended its escort programme following a suspected attack on a cargo vessel near Oman. The incident pushed global oil prices about 2 percent higher, renewing concerns over the security of one of the world's busiest energy shipping lanes.