(Photo courtesy of Anadolu)
ISTANBUL – South Korea is preparing to expand the operational area of its Cheonghae anti-piracy unit closer to the Strait of Hormuz and deploy additional military assets amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, according to reports Thursday.
South Korea’s Defense Ministry announced plans to extend the unit’s operational coverage and reinforce its personnel and equipment, public broadcaster KBS reported.
The proposed expansion would add 75 personnel to the unit, increasing its total strength to 395, according to Yonhap News Agency.
The move comes after months of discussions in Seoul over the possibility of deploying military forces near the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic maritime passage that has become a focal point of tensions involving the United States and Iran.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung previously ruled out sending combat troops to the region, emphasizing that the government would avoid military deployments that could draw the country into an overseas conflict.
The Defense Ministry said the proposed expansion would undergo the necessary government approval process before implementation.
The ministry plans to seek Cabinet review and presidential approval before submitting a motion to the National Assembly for consideration.
The Strait of Hormuz has remained a major flashpoint since the United States and Israel launched military operations against Iran in February.
South Korea’s Cheonghae unit has operated overseas since 2009, primarily conducting anti-piracy missions in the Gulf of Aden off Somalia.
Its deployment also covers designated contingency areas where South Korean nationals may require protection.
The unit’s overseas mission requires annual authorization from the South Korean parliament.
According to KBS, the proposed revision would extend the unit’s operational area toward the southern tip of Oman’s Duqm Port, approximately 650 kilometers from the Strait of Hormuz.
The Defense Ministry is also considering additional military capabilities to strengthen the unit’s maritime security operations.
These include a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, unmanned mine countermeasure equipment and an explosive ordnance disposal team.
The proposed reinforcements are intended to expand the unit’s operational capabilities as South Korea assesses security developments in waters near the strategic shipping route.
The expansion remains subject to government and parliamentary approval, with Seoul maintaining its position against deploying combat forces that could involve the country directly in the regional conflict.
