Government stresses importance of free passage through Hormuz as it builds case for active deployment

South Korea’s presidential office says nothing has been decided about sending forces to the Strait of Hormuz, but its emphasis on the waterway’s importance to national interests is helping build the case for an active deployment.

A senior presidential official said South Korea had participated from the outset in consultations on a U.S. proposal for an international coalition to ensure free passage through the strait. The official said the government continued to review its options while considering readiness on the Korean Peninsula and following domestic legal procedures. The Defense Ministry also said no decision had been made.

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Free passage through Hormuz is extremely important to our national interests.

The emphasis on free navigation presents a possible deployment not as a passive response to U.S. pressure, but as an active contribution by a country that relies on the waterway. The article says 68 percent of South Korea’s crude oil imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Defining the mission as a contribution by a user of the maritime route could give Seoul more room to determine the deployment’s scope and character in talks with Washington.

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Nothing has been decided at present.

Such a framework could allow South Korea to avoid joining U.S.-led operations directed against Iran. Seoul could also describe the mission to Tehran as non-hostile, focused on securing the shipping route. Protecting South Korean citizens and vessels could help the government address domestic opposition and seek parliamentary consent.

Any deployment would likely proceed in stages rather than send combat forces immediately. The first step could involve information sharing, using the Cheonghae Unit, a South Korean destroyer unit already carrying out missions assigned by the Combined Maritime Forces in the Gulf of Aden. Other options include expanding its area of operations toward international waters off Oman or operating P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft from Oman or Qatar. Sending naval vessels would require parliamentary approval, and their operations could be limited to the Gulf of Oman and the entrance to the strait rather than U.S.-only missions.

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We can maneuver within a range that does not cause major damage to our readiness posture.