South Korea is reviewing a possible deployment of military assets to the strait of Hormuz amid pressure from Donald Trump over Seoul’s reluctance to provide support in the region, according to domestic media reports.
Citing unnamed government and military sources, the reports published on Thursday and Friday said preparations were under way and that the government intended to seek parliamentary approval for a new deployment. The reports, which appeared in major South Korean outlets, said the exact scale and timing had not been agreed.
But the presidential office pushed back, telling the Guardian that such reports were “different from the facts” and that “nothing related to the matter has been decided”, though it said the review was “continuing”.
An official said: “Our government has been closely discussing with the international community ways to make practical contributions for the speedy restoration of free navigation in the strait of Hormuz and peace and stability in the Middle East.”
According to reports, the assets under consideration include a P-۸ Poseidon aircraft, which would mark South Korea’s first overseas deployment of a maritime patrol aircraft, and a naval logistics support ship to provide rear support.
One outlet, Seoul Broadcasting System, additionally reported that an explosive ordnance disposal team from the navy’s underwater demolition unit was part of the package.
Any new deployment in principle would require review by the national security council, a cabinet resolution and approval from the national assembly.
South Korea is highly dependent on the strait of Hormuz, importing more than ۹۰% of its primary energy, including roughly ۷۰% of crude oil through the waterway.
In ۲۰۲۰, the government of the then president, Moon Jae-in, expanded the mandate of an existing anti-piracy unit off the coast of Somalia to cover the strait of Hormuz, rather than seeking parliamentary approval for a new deployment.
South Korea’s defence minister, Ahn Gyu-back, in March told parliament that any deployment to the strait would require the national assembly’s consent given how different the mission would be from the unit’s existing anti-piracy mandate.
The reports come amid growing strains in the US-South Korea alliance. Trump has repeatedly complained in public that Seoul turned down his request for help over Iran, claiming in August that South Korea’s president, Lee Jae Myung, had told him “No, thanks” despite the US stationing tens of thousands of troops on the peninsula.
Days later, he ordered the Ulchi Freedom Shield joint military exercises to be scaled back, shortening the drills by six days.
Relations between the two allies have also been strained by delays implementing a $۳۵۰bn investment package Seoul agreed with Washington last year, reports that the US had restricted intelligence sharing with South Korea, and by a dispute over a data breach at the South Korean e-commerce company Coupang.
Separately, Seoul has expressed interest in taking part in any renewed US-North Korea diplomacy, as Trump signals openness to another meeting with Kim Jong-un.
