South Korea sends team to assess situation in Strait of Hormuz
South Korea’s Ministry of Defense has sent a team to assess the security situation in the Strait of Hormuz. As reported by Anadolu Agency, the team traveled to the United Arab Emirates over the weekend and may return as early as this week.
The assessment results are to be submitted to South Korea’s National Security Council. A Defense Ministry official said the mission is intended to assess the situation and the security conditions in the strait. He stressed that the decision to send it was not made on the assumption of a possible military deployment.
Seoul’s position on military involvement
The Defense Ministry also denied reports that Washington had asked Seoul to decide by November whether to send military personnel. In March, US President Donald Trump called on five countries, including South Korea, to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz to protect the vital shipping route.
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In August, Trump said that South Korea had declined this request. Earlier, the office of South Korea’s president said that no decision had yet been made on sending troops and that various options were being considered.
Possible resources and Iran’s statement
According to reports, South Korea’s Defense Ministry also reviewed a list of military resources that could be rapidly deployed should a decision be made on a military contribution. These may include a maritime patrol aircraft, explosive ordnance disposal specialists, as well as equipment for detecting and neutralizing naval mines.
South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said it maintains close contact with relevant countries and the international community to ensure the free passage of vessels through the strait. Iran warned that any involvement of South Korean military personnel in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz would have serious consequences.
