Japan and Canada-led ‘Iran Statement’; South Korean Foreign Ministry Fabricates Media Report of ‘Joining 7 Countries’
On the 20th, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced, "The government has decided to join the 'Joint Statement by Leaders on the Strait of Hormuz' released by seven countries, including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, and Canada." South Korean media outlets unanimously reported on the same day that "South Korea joins the 7-country statement."
The press release announcing the joint statement (GOV.UK) posted on the UK Foreign Office website is titled <Joint Statement on the Strait of Hormuz by Leaders of Various Countries Including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan, and Canada: March 19, 2026>.
On the 20th, updated from the 19th, the subtitle "<Joint Statement on the Strait of Hormuz by Leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan, Canada, South Korea, New Zealand, Denmark, Latvia, Slovenia, Estonia, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Czech Republic, Romania, Bahrain, and Lithuania>" was added, and at the very end, an appendix was added stating, "<Since the announcement, Canada, South Korea, New Zealand, Denmark, Latvia, Slovenia, Estonia, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Czech Republic, Romania, Bahrain, and Lithuania have also confirmed their participation in this joint leaders' statement>."
The statement released by the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, "The government [regarding] the 'Joint Statement on the Strait of Hormuz' announced by seven countries including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, and Canada," constitutes a clear error, and it appears that the South Korean media intentionally colluded in falsifying it into a "7-country statement."
Reuters reported the full text on this day, stating, "This is the full text of the statement by the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan, Canada, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Denmark, Latvia, Slovenia, Estonia, Norway, Sweden, Finland, the Czech Republic, Romania, Bahrain, and Lithuania."
Reuters reported that "several countries signed along with major European nations such as Japan and Canada," and that the joint statement, titled "This is the full text of the statement by the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan, Canada, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Denmark, Latvia, Slovenia, Estonia, Norway, Sweden, Finland, the Czech Republic, Romania, Bahrain, and Lithuania," called for "the safeguarding of the fundamental principles of international prosperity and security."
Kyodo News reported on the 21st that Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi stated in a telephone interview on the 20th, "We have not closed the strait, and the strait is open," adding, "We are willing to allow the passage of Japanese-related vessels after consultation."
Minister Araghchi further stated, "Passage by vessels other than enemy ships is possible, and we are willing to provide safety of passage after consultation with the relevant country."
Xinhua News Agency reported on the 21st that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated during a phone call with French President Emmanuel Vonn on the 20th, "The right path to escaping the crisis is dialogue and negotiation, and China and France must make joint efforts toward this."
Von told Minister Wang, "Both France and China are major powers that support the UN and abide by international law," adding, "We must contribute together to easing tensions and finding a way to resume negotiations."
Xinhua further reported that Foreign Minister Wang urged a ceasefire during a phone call with British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper on the 19th regarding the situation in the Middle East, stating, "It not only undermines regional peace and stability but also directly affects energy, finance, trade, and shipping, harming the common interests of all nations."
The joint statement explicitly states in its conclusion, "Maritime security and freedom of navigation are in the interest of all nations. We urge all nations to respect international law and safeguard the fundamental principles of international prosperity and security," making "respect for international law" and "safeguarding security principles" the core of the statement. The German Chancellor and others had previously officially stated that "the U.S. initiation of war is illegal," which appears to be an explicit indication that the war's commencement constitutes a "violation of international law."
In a press release on the same day, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "Participation in this joint statement is significant in that it confirms our commitment to contributing to the international community's efforts to ensure safe and free passage within the Strait of Hormuz," adding, "The government will continue to cooperate closely with the international community, including other participating nations, to expedite the normalization of the global maritime logistics network."
Yonhap News reported that these seven countries issued a joint statement on the 19th (local time), declaring, "We condemn in the strongest terms the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz by the Iranian military."
The report further noted that they "are ready to contribute to appropriate efforts to secure safe shipping lanes," emphasizing their welcome of other nations' participation, and urged Iran to respect international law, stating that "maritime security and freedom of navigation are in the interest of all nations."
The coalition continued by stating, "<The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had maintained no specific position regarding participation in the statement until this afternoon, merely stating, 'We are aware of the relevant situation. We intend to review it in consideration of all circumstances,' but it has now decided to join approximately one day after the statement was released.>"
The coalition further noted, "<This statement is interpreted as supporting the United States on a symbolic level and urging for security and peace, while sidestepping President Donald Trump's call for military assistance.>"
On the other hand, the joint statement stipulated, "<We strongly condemn Iran's recent attacks on unarmed commercial vessels in the Gulf region, (...) and the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz by the Iranian military. We express deep concern over the escalating conflict.>" "<Freedom of navigation is a fundamental principle of international law and is included in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.>"
"<We will take other measures, such as increasing production in cooperation with some producing nations, to stabilize energy markets. We will also strive to support the countries most severely affected through the UN and International Financial Institutions (IFI). Maritime security and freedom of navigation are in the interest of all nations.>"
The Chosun Ilbo reported on the 20th under the headline "<South Korea Joins 7-Country Statement Condemning Iran’s Blockade of Hormuz>."
The JoongAng Ilbo's headline is "<South Korea Joins 7-Country Joint Statement Condemning Iran’s Blockade of Hormuz>."
The Dong-A Ilbo reported under the headline "<South Korea Decides to Join Joint Statement Condemning Iran… 7 Countries Including Japan and UK Announced Ahead>."
KBS's headline is "<South Korea Joins Joint Statement Condemning Iran’s Blockade of Hormuz>."
Chosun Biz's headline is "<South Korea Joins 7-Country Leaders’ Joint Statement Condemning Iran’s Blockade of Hormuz>."
The Hankyoreh's headline is "<Government Joins 7-Country Statement Condemning Blockade of the Strait of Hormuz>."
Refer to <Takaichi ‘Economic Security’, Trump ‘No Alliances After Victory’, Europe ‘Post-War Support’, March 20, 2026>
<Canada, Japan, Australia, India ‘De-US Security’, Aircraft and Submarines ‘Breaking Away from the US’, March 7, 2026>
<Canada, G7 Middle Power Alliance ‘Joint Sanctions on Israel’, Strategic Autonomy ‘De-Trump’, June 12, 2025>