South Korea to deploy military mission to keep Strait of Hormuz open

South Korea will deploy maritime patrol aircraft, an explosive ordnance disposal team, and unmanned mine-releasing equipment near the Strait of Hormuz. According to France 24, the defense ministry stated the mission aims to protect energy supplies and commercial shipping while ruling out military intervention in the ongoing US-Iran war. KBS World Radio noted that the mission will expand the area of the anti-piracy Cheonghae unit closer to the waterway.

Separately, South Korea's foreign ministry rejected criticism from Russia regarding joint military exercises with the United States. As reported by The Korea Times and Yonhap News, Russia claimed the drills are designed to rehearse preemptive nuclear strikes against North Korea. Seoul responded by stating the annual exercises are defensive in nature, intended to maintain a combined defense posture against North Korea's missile and nuclear threats, and contribute to stability in Northeast Asia and on the Korean Peninsula.

Brief written by urgent.news from France 24, The Korea Times, KBS World Radio, Yonhap News — 4 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.