South Korea is reviewing military options to help ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz

🔸A senior official in the Office of the President of South Korea said that this country is considering various options, including military options, to help ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

🔸The official, on Friday, 13 Shahrivar, told reporters that South Korea is looking into practical ways to participate in ensuring freedom of navigation in this strait and confirmed that military options are also under consideration.

🔸He also rejected reports by South Korean media that the government had already decided to dispatch military equipment or forces, saying that any decision in this regard must be made while taking into account domestic legal procedures, the military readiness on the Korean Peninsula, and approval by parliament.

🔸The official also said that Lee Jae-myung, the President of South Korea, may discuss options related to the Strait of Hormuz during his meeting next week with Emmanuel Macron, the President of France.

🔸Several South Korean media outlets, including the “JTBC” and “MBC” networks, reported on Thursday evening that the government is preparing to dispatch forces or military equipment to the region before the end of the current calendar year and that it might seek parliament’s approval as early as this month.

🔸According to these reports, the options being considered include dispatching a maritime patrol aircraft, a logistics support ship, or a mine detection and clearance unit. The media outlets also reported that Seoul has been in discussions regarding the scope and type of its possible participation with countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, and France.

🔸South Korea has significant economic interests in keeping the Strait of Hormuz open. Last year, the country received 61% of its imported crude oil and 54% of its imported gasoline through this strait.

🔸U.S. President Donald Trump, on August 25, ordered that the participation of U.S. forces in joint exercises with South Korea be reduced significantly. In addition to the cost of these exercises and efforts to reduce tensions with North Korea, he had also criticized Seoul for refusing to participate in U.S. actions against Iran.

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