[뉴스초점] 호르무즈 이어 홍해 봉쇄 우려…국제유가 상승세 / 연합뉴스TV (YonhapnewsTV)

[Guests: Cho Han-beom, Senior Research Fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification; Kim Kwang-seok, Adjunct Professor at Hanyang University] With the Houthi rebels declaring they would blockade the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea, President Trump stated that if the Houthis blockade the Red Sea, the United States will handle it. As the conflict between the U.S. and Iran escalates to the level of an all-out war, Iran has defined any armed clash with the U.S. as an all-out war. As military clashes between the U.S. and Iran intensify and the Red Sea faces threats following the Strait of Hormuz, international oil prices continue to rise. We will discuss these related issues with Cho Han-beom, Senior Research Fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification, and Kim Kwang-seok, Adjunct Professor at Hanyang University. [Question 1] Following their declaration to blockade the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea, the pro-Iranian armed Houthi rebels in Yemen warned that using Saudi ports would make any location a target. What do you think is the reason Iran is putting the Houthi rebels at the forefront? [Question 2] President Trump warned that the U.S. would deal with the Houthis if they blockaded the Red Sea, and warned that he would strike Iran’s "Pickaxe Mountain" soon. "Pickaxe Mountain" is known as the site where Iran’s underground nuclear facilities are located; what kind of place is it, and what facilities are there? [Question 2-1] The U.S. has been conducting airstrikes on Iran for ten consecutive days, and Iran is retaliating by striking U.S. military bases in Kuwait and Bahrain. Has Iran already defined an armed conflict with the U.S. as an all-out war? How do you view the current situation in the Middle East? [Question 3] International oil prices have risen amidst the escalating conflict between the U.S. and Iran compounded by the threat of a Red Sea blockade, but should we say the U.S. stock market remains somewhat indifferent? Overnight, the three major indices of the New York stock market rose across the board, driven by strong corporate earnings and a rebound in semiconductor stocks. Is this a learning effect from Trump's "Taco"? *Question 3* [Question 4] Amidst this, there have been reports that the United States has requested the dispatch of South Korean warships to the Strait of Hormuz. With our government scheduled to visit the U.S. this month for follow-up security negotiations regarding the Joint Fact Sheet, what is your assessment of the likelihood that this report is true, and how should our government respond? [Question 5] As signs of a worsening situation in the Middle East appear, President Lee stated that the oil price cap system should be strengthened again rather than being phased out. Although Brent crude has exceeded $90, it has not risen to the levels seen in early March; do you believe the oil price cap system should be tightened again? [Question 6] Finally, let's address the issue of the hacking incident at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy. It is estimated that up to 10,000 pieces of personal information, including that of all diplomats, were leaked after the academy's online education system was hacked for 10 months. What exactly happened during those past 10 months? ▣ Subscribe to Yonhap News TV's documentary channel 'Docu-Digging'    / @docu-digging   ▣ Subscribe to Yonhap News TV YouTube Channel    / @yonhapnewstv23   ▣ The Beginning of Korean News, Yonhap News TV / Yonhap News TV http://www.yonhapnewstv.co.kr/