1. The Korean government condemns the Houthis’ seizure on January 2 of a United Arab Emirates-flagged vessel off the coast of Hudaydah, Yemen, and urges the Houthis to immediately release the vessel and the crew.

2. The Korean government views the seizure as a serious threat to the safety of navigation of vessels and opposes any action that undermines freedom of navigation, maritime security and free flow of commerce in the Middle East.