South Korea is preparing to potentially deploy military assets to support freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, with the deployment possibly taking place before the end of the year, according to South Korean media reports.
Several outlets, citing government and military sources, reported that Seoul was preparing the procedures needed to seek parliamentary approval, including plans to submit a consent motion to Parliament this month following a Cabinet review.
Among the options reportedly being considered are a maritime patrol aircraft, a logistics support vessel and a mine detection and clearance unit.
South Korea has also been discussing the possible scale and nature of its contribution with countries including the United States, Britain and France, the reports said.
However, the presidential Blue House said Seoul was only discussing practical ways to contribute to freedom of navigation in the strategically important strait.
It also pushed back against reports that the government had already decided on a military deployment, saying such claims were “different from the facts”.
The Strait of Hormuz is a key global shipping route and a major passageway for oil and other energy supplies.
The reports come amid heightened tensions following the US war against Iran. US President Donald Trump said in an August social media post that he had reduced the scale of joint US-South Korea military exercises partly because Seoul had declined to assist the US in the conflict.
Any decision by South Korea to deploy military assets to the region would therefore mark a significant development in its involvement in the ongoing conflict and efforts to safeguard shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
