SEOUL: South Korea’s Defence Ministry said on Thursday that it would deploy maritime patrol aircraft and an explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) team to waters near the Strait of Hormuz as part of a mission to protect commercial shipping and help keep the strategic waterway open.
The announcement comes as Seoul maintains its position against deploying troops for direct military intervention in the Iran war, while seeking to safeguard its commercial shipping and energy supplies.
The conflict, which began on February 28, has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime route that normally carries around one-fifth of the world’s oil supplies.
The Defence Ministry confirmed plans to expand the operational area of its Cheonghae anti-piracy naval unit, currently deployed in the Gulf of Aden off Somalia, to waters near the strait.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the mission will include a destroyer, a P-8 maritime patrol aircraft, an EOD team, unmanned surface and underwater vessels, and remotely operated vehicles for underwater exploration.
Extending the Cheonghae unit’s deployment, currently authorised until the end of this year, will require parliamentary approval.
A defence ministry official said the mission was intended to protect South Korean citizens and economic interests. The official stressed that the reinforcement would be strictly non-combat in nature and operate independently of allied forces.
Operations will be restricted to international waters south of Oman. The maritime patrol aircraft will not be permitted to target or monitor Iranian territory, territorial waters or the interior of the Strait of Hormuz.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung reiterated in September that the country would maintain its policy of non-involvement and non-intervention in the war.
Meanwhile, Tehran has warned Seoul against deploying forces to the region after South Korea indicated it was considering contributing to maritime security efforts.