SEOUL, September 04 (AJP) - South Korea under repeated pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump for military contribution to the U.S. operations in the Strait of Hormuz, is making concrete preparations to deploy naval assets including P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, an explosive ordnance disposal team and a logistics support ship to the Persian Gulf, a report said.
A senior Defense Ministry official told SBS that preparations were underway to dispatch naval forces to the strategic waterway.
"We are making specific preparations to deploy naval forces to the Strait of Hormuz," the official was quoted as saying.
The planned package would include P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, a Navy logistics support ship and an explosive ordnance disposal, or EOD, team, according to the report.
The presidential office however rejected reports that the government had settled on sending forces to the region.
It said Seoul has been discussing with the international community ways to make a practical contribution toward restoring freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and promoting peace and stability in the Middle East.
If deployed, the P-8 aircraft would monitor submarines and surface vessels posing potential threats in and around the waterway.
The EOD personnel would come from the Navy Special Warfare Flotilla and could participate in operations alongside foreign naval forces, SBS reported. The logistics support ship would provide rear-area support for the aircraft and EOD unit.
Deployment of the aircraft and support vessel would also require access to overseas ports and airfields for refueling, maintenance and logistical support.
A senior military official told SBS that consultations with countries hosting possible ports of call and operational bases were believed to be underway.
The move would mark a shift from Seoul's earlier position that it would consider a Hormuz deployment after the U.S.-Iran conflict ended. Fighting has continued despite efforts toward a ceasefire, while tensions around the strait remain elevated.
Trump has repeatedly criticized South Korea for not doing enough to support the United States during the conflict with Iran, publicly arguing that Seoul has benefited from U.S. security support without providing sufficient assistance in return.
Any actual deployment would still require political approval.
Under South Korea's Constitution, the National Assembly must consent to the deployment of the country's armed forces overseas. SBS reported that the government could submit a deployment motion to parliament as early as this month following deliberations through the National Security Council and Cabinet.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most strategically important shipping routes, linking the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea and serving as a major artery for global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.
AJP Takeaways:
- South Korean military reportedly preparing P-8 patrol aircraft, EOD personnel and a Navy logistics support ship for possible deployment to Strait of Hormuz
- Presidential office says no final decision has been made as Seoul weighs contribution amid repeated pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump
- Any overseas troop deployment requires National Assembly consent, with a proposal potentially reaching parliament as early as September
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