South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said Thursday that Seoul had not yet decided whether to deploy military assets to the Strait of Hormuz, as it considers options to support freedom of navigation in the waterway. Cho told reporters before departing for Washington to meet his US counterpart, Marco Rubio, that the decision to deploy military assets “has not yet been made.”
Military options under consideration in Hormuz
The South Korean presidential office earlier said the options under consideration included military measures. South Korean media reported that Seoul was preparing to send military assets to the strait before the end of the year and might seek parliamentary approval in September. The potential options reportedly include a maritime patrol aircraft, a logistics support vessel and a specialized mine-detection and clearance unit.
US President Donald Trump has in recent weeks criticized South Korea’s level of support for Washington-led efforts to secure navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, saying it was insufficient. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung is scheduled to hold a news conference Friday, amid local media reports that he is expected to address the strait and investment negotiations in the United States.
