South Korea expands anti-piracy mission to waters near Strait of Hormuz
Seoul will add a destroyer, a P-8 aircraft, and an explosive ordnance disposal team to its Cheonghae naval unit to protect energy supplies.
By Lauren Foster ·
South Korea will extend its Cheonghae anti-piracy naval unit to operate near the Strait of Hormuz, adding a destroyer and a P-8 maritime patrol aircraft to the mission. The deployment aims to secure one of the world's most critical energy corridors while avoiding direct military involvement in the conflict between the United States and Iran.
The defense ministry announced the plan on Thursday. It confirmed that the government intends to expand the operational area of the Cheonghae unit, which currently protects commercial vessels in the Gulf of Aden off Somalia. The expanded force will also include an explosive ordnance disposal team, unmanned surface vessels, unmanned underwater vehicles, and remotely operated vehicles for underwater exploration.
The move comes as the war that began on February 28 has disrupted shipping in the strait. The waterway normally carries about one-fifth of the world's oil. Tehran recently warned Seoul against such a deployment after South Korea indicated it was considering a contribution to the security of the waterway.
A defense ministry official told reporters on condition of anonymity that the enhancement of the mission is designed to protect citizens and safeguard economic interests. The official stressed that the reinforcement is strictly for non-combat purposes and that the unit will operate independently of allied forces.
The official specified that operations will remain restricted to the open waters south of Oman. Maritime patrol aircraft will be prohibited from targeting or monitoring Iranian territory, territorial waters, or the interior of the Strait of Hormuz during their missions.
President Lee Jae Myung has maintained that South Korea will not deploy troops in a manner that leads to military intervention. In September, he stated, "We have upheld the principle of non-involvement and non-intervention in the war until now. And we will continue to uphold it going forward."
Extending the deployment of the Cheonghae unit, which is currently authorized until the end of this year, will require parliamentary approval.
Source: France 24
