South Korea to deploy military mission to help keep Hormuz open

South Korea has announced plans to deploy a military mission near the Strait of Hormuz to assist in maintaining open waters, as part of efforts to safeguard commercial shipping and energy supplies. The mission, set to include maritime patrol aircraft and an explosive ordnance disposal team, comes as tensions between the US and Iran have escalated since the start of the war on February 28.

The defence ministry of South Korea confirmed reports of the expansion of the operational area of its Cheonghae anti-piracy naval unit from the Gulf of Aden to waters near the Strait of Hormuz. This move requires parliamentary approval and will involve a destroyer, P-8 maritime patrol aircraft, EOD team, unmanned surface vessels, unmanned underwater vehicles, and remotely operated vehicles for underwater exploration.

The deployment is strictly for non-combat purposes and will operate independently of allied forces, with the maritime patrol aircraft prohibited from targeting or monitoring Iranian territory, territorial waters, or the interior of the Strait of Hormuz. President Lee Jae Myung has previously emphasized South Korea's commitment to non-involvement and non-intervention in the conflict.

Tehran has warned South Korea against any military deployment near the Strait of Hormuz after Seoul indicated its willingness to contribute to the waterway's security.