South Korea Studies Options to Support Freedom of Navigation in the Strait of Hormuz

This follows local media reports that the government is preparing to deploy military assets in the Strait of Hormuz before the end of the year, and may seek parliamentary approval in September/September.

A presidential office official explained that the options under consideration include deploying a maritime patrol aircraft, a logistical support ship, and a mine detection and clearance unit. He noted that Seoul is discussing the size and nature of its potential contribution with countries including the United States, Britain, and France.

He added that any decision will take into account local legal procedures, the military readiness on the Korean Peninsula, and the need for approval from the National Assembly, emphasizing that the claim that South Korea would not provide any contribution related to the Strait of Hormuz is "incorrect".

Former U.S. President Donald Trump said in a social media post in August that he had scaled back the size of joint military exercises between Washington and Seoul, citing, among other reasons, South Korea’s refusal to help the United States in a war against Iran.

In turn, retired Korean Special Forces commander Lieutenant General Chun In-bom said that deploying military assets aligns with Seoul’s national interests, given its economy’s reliance on the Strait of Hormuz. He noted that South Korea relied on the strait for 61% of its crude oil imports and 54% of its naphtha imports last year.

Under South Korean law, deploying military assets abroad requires approval from the National Assembly. Any such move faces potential popular opposition; a Gallup Korea poll in March found that 55% of respondents opposed sending warships to the Strait of Hormuz, while 30% supported it.