Reuters, citing several South Korean media outlets, reported that Seoul is preparing the necessary groundwork to dispatch military equipment with the aim of helping ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, and intends to begin this mission by the end of the year if the decision is finalized.

According to these reports, the South Korean government is preparing the required procedures to obtain parliamentary approval; including submitting a request for approval to deploy to the assembly this month, after the matter is reviewed in the cabinet.

Options under consideration include sending a maritime patrol aircraft, a logistics support ship, or a mine-detection and clearance unit. Seoul has also held consultations regarding its possible participation with the United States, the United Kingdom, and France.

However, the office of the South Korean president said Seoul had discussed practical ways to help ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, but that reports indicating the government has made a final decision to deploy “do not match the reality.”

In August, Donald Trump said he had scaled back part of joint U.S.-South Korean exercises; an action he said was partly because Seoul refused to help the United States in its war against the Iranian government.