Hormuz Deployment Dilemma Leaves Seoul Caught Between the US Alliance and Domestic Opposition

South Korea is weighing whether and how to contribute to US efforts in the Strait of Hormuz, a decision that could affect both its alliance with Washington and domestic politics. Civic groups have strongly opposed participation in what they describe as a “war of aggression.”

A senior Blue House official said the government believed it had options that would not compromise South Korea’s defensive readiness on the Korean Peninsula. The statement came as Seoul sought to improve relations with the United States amid pressure from President Donald Trump.

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Some options that wouldn’t compromise our defensive readiness on the Korean Peninsula.

Trump recalled recently asking Korean officials whether they could provide “a little hand with Iran,” only to be told that they would rather not. He later shared a column arguing that South Korea should sell Cheongung-II air-defense missiles to Ukraine. A senior US administration official also pointed to South Korea’s status as one of the largest consumers of Middle Eastern crude and said Washington was still waiting for Seoul to deploy assets to the region.

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Do you mind giving us a little hand with Iran, the Islamic Republic of Iran?

The pressure extends beyond Hormuz. Washington is dissatisfied with delays to a major Korean investment package promised in a previous summit fact sheet, and little progress has been made on talks involving uranium enrichment, spent-fuel reprocessing and nuclear-powered submarines. Concerns have also grown that South Korea could be sidelined if Trump resumes dialogue with North Korea, especially as the United States remains unhappy with Seoul’s investigation into a major Coupang data leak.

Seoul is reportedly examining several alternatives. One would expand the Cheonghae Unit’s anti-piracy operating area near Somalia to waters off Oman, close to the Strait of Hormuz. Other possibilities include maritime patrol aircraft, logistics support ships and explosive ordnance disposal personnel. One analyst at a government-funded security institute said South Korea should consider an indirect deployment and could have the Cheonghae Unit contribute to freedom of navigation in the strait.

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We can’t simply do nothing about the Strait of Hormuz given the current state of Korea-US relations. We should consider an indirect deployment, such as having the Cheonghae Unit, currently in the Gulf of Aden, contribute to freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.