Tracks South Korea's review of a phased contribution to efforts to ensure safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and subsequent developments.
7 events · 10 sources · Updated 12 days ago
KBS News report on the United States saying it was awaiting a South Korean deployment to the Strait of Hormuz and Iran warning that Korean involvement would be treated as participation in the war
The U.S. government said it was awaiting a South Korean deployment to the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran warned that South Korean involvement would be treated as participation in the war.
As the South Korean government considered specific military contributions to the Strait of Hormuz, U.S.-Iran clashes intensified again and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran publicly warned against possible South Korean military involvement. The government maintained a cautious position on whether to deploy forces and which assets to send while continuing consultations with relevant countries.
The Ministry of National Defense dispatched an investigation team to the United Arab Emirates to assess the local security situation and operational environment around the Strait of Hormuz. The ministry said the survey had not been decided on the premise of an actual troop deployment.
A military assessment team dispatched by the Ministry of National Defense as South Korea considers possible contributions related to the Strait of Hormuz was reported to be expanding its field survey from the United Arab Emirates to Bahrain. After examining conditions at Al Dhafra Air Base and Jebel Ali Port in the UAE, the team planned further assessments in Bahrain, where the U.S.-led Combined Maritime Forces is headquartered. South Korea has not made a final decision on deploying troops.
Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met in Washington to discuss the Middle East and restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Cho conveyed South Korea's willingness to make a practical contribution, and the two sides agreed to continue close consultations.