The South Korean government has decided to deploy its naval fleet closer to the Strait of Hormuz. This action comes eight months after the onset of hostilities between the United States and Iran. The country's Ministry of Defense has stated that this limited mission will not include monitoring Iranian territories and will not enter the Strait of Hormuz itself.
South Korea's Economic Interest in the Security of the Strait of Hormuz
As one of the oil-importing countries, South Korea has direct economic interests in reducing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. This strait is a vital route for oil transportation, and any insecurity in this area can have significant impacts on energy prices. The largest player in the tanker trade, "Hormuz Shuttle," is a South Korean company named Sinokor, whose ships have likely been targeted by Iranian fire at least six times since the start of the hostilities.
Details of the New Mission
South Korea has not committed to any direct military engagement in this conflict and is not set to send ground forces to the region. The new mission is actually an expansion of the operational area of an anti-piracy maritime patrol unit in the Gulf of Aden. This unit includes a warship, a P-8 maritime patrol aircraft, EOD divers, and various unmanned systems.
If this proposal is approved by the South Korean parliament, the "Cheonghae" unit of the Republic of Korea Navy will be allowed to operate as far north as Duqm in Oman, which is about 500 nautical miles from the Strait of Hormuz. This mission has been rotating in the Gulf of Aden since 2009, and South Korea has sent warships to the area to combat piracy off the coast of Somalia and ensure the security of its shipping. Currently, this unit operates from Salalah in Oman and Djibouti, but has no history of traveling to the northernmost point of Duqm.
The new deployment area still keeps South Korean naval assets away from Iranian fire and the interventionist operations of the U.S. Navy. Any additional duties in fire-affected areas must also be approved by parliament.
