The Defense Ministry has dispatched a team to the Middle East to assess the situation ahead of a potential deployment to the Hormuz Strait, as requested by the United States.
According to Yonhap News Agency on September 8, the assessment team left for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) over the weekend to evaluate the operational conditions of local deployed forces. The team is expected to return as early as this week.
Upon their return, the findings of the assessment team will be reported to the National Security Council (NSC).
A Defense Ministry official stated, "We sent the assessment team to understand the local situation in Hormuz," adding, "The dispatch is to gauge the regional situation and security conditions, and this investigation is not a precondition for an actual deployment."
The official further noted, "No decisions have been made regarding deployment." While it is true that the assessment team was sent to assist in making a judgment about deployment, it does not mean that a decision has been made regarding the Hormuz deployment.
Regarding reports that the U.S. has requested a deployment deadline of November, the official clarified, "It is not true that the U.S. has set a deadline for the deployment of our assets to the Hormuz Strait."
Earlier, a media outlet reported that the U.S. Department of Defense has pressured the South Korean government to finalize deployment decisions, including the forces to be sent and their missions and scale, by November at the latest.
According to Yonhap News Agency on September 8, the assessment team left for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) over the weekend to evaluate the operational conditions of local deployed forces. The team is expected to return as early as this week.
Upon their return, the findings of the assessment team will be reported to the National Security Council (NSC).
A Defense Ministry official stated, "We sent the assessment team to understand the local situation in Hormuz," adding, "The dispatch is to gauge the regional situation and security conditions, and this investigation is not a precondition for an actual deployment."
The official further noted, "No decisions have been made regarding deployment." While it is true that the assessment team was sent to assist in making a judgment about deployment, it does not mean that a decision has been made regarding the Hormuz deployment.
Regarding reports that the U.S. has requested a deployment deadline of November, the official clarified, "It is not true that the U.S. has set a deadline for the deployment of our assets to the Hormuz Strait."
Earlier, a media outlet reported that the U.S. Department of Defense has pressured the South Korean government to finalize deployment decisions, including the forces to be sent and their missions and scale, by November at the latest.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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