Seoul Sends Patrol Aircraft and Mine-Clearing Team to Strait of Hormuz

The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical chokepoint for global energy flows, carrying approximately one-fifth of the world's oil before disruptions began.

South Korea announced on Thursday that it will deploy maritime patrol aircraft and an explosive ordnance disposal team to waters near the strait to help keep the waterway open.

The Republic of Korea defence ministry stated the move aims to protect commercial shipping and national energy interests while explicitly ruling out a military intervention in the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran.

The deployment involves expanding the operational area of the Cheonghae anti-piracy naval unit, which currently protects commercial vessels in the Gulf of Aden off Somalia.

According to reports from Yonhap News Agency, the expanded mission will include a destroyer, a P-8 maritime patrol aircraft, an EOD team, unmanned surface and underwater vehicles, and remotely operated vehicles for underwater exploration.

A defence ministry official told reporters 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 be limited to open waters south of Oman, with the patrol aircraft prohibited from targeting or monitoring Iranian territory, territorial waters, or the interior of the strait.

Parliamentary approval is required to extend the Cheonghae unit's mandate, which is currently authorized until the end of the year.

President Lee Jae Myung reaffirmed in September that South Korea would avoid deployments that could lead to military intervention, stating that the country has upheld a principle of non-involvement in the war.

Tehran has previously warned Seoul against such a deployment after the South Korean government indicated it was considering a contribution to the waterway's security.