The Presidential Office said it is reviewing substantive ways to contribute to freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, including a military contribution. The remarks are read as signaling that Seoul is leaving open a considerable possibility of deploying troops to the Hormuz region, as U.S. President Donald Trump continues to press South Korea over its military role.
A senior Presidential Office official said on the 4th, responding to talk of a possible deployment to the Strait of Hormuz, "Nothing has been decided, but we are continuing to review it." The official said, "When Britain, France and the United States proposed a coalition for navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, we took an active part and have been in consultations," adding, "We believe we have room to maneuver as long as there is no significant damage to readiness on the Korean Peninsula."
The official said the government is keeping various options open on the specific form of a military contribution. "There are many ways to make a military contribution," the official said. "There are combat options and non-combat options, so we will review this comprehensively." The official added that because the term "deployment" under the Constitution means sending troops overseas regardless of size, it would not necessarily take the form of combat forces or a large-scale contingent.
The official also stressed, however, that the government is still at the stage of reviewing contribution options for the Strait of Hormuz and must take domestic legal procedures into account. "Domestic legal procedures ultimately mean consultation with the National Assembly and its consent, and we have not yet reached that stage," the official said. The comments are taken to mean that no specific consultations have been held with the National Assembly, despite earlier reports that the government was preparing to put the matter on the agenda of the National Security Council (NSC) and to submit a ratification motion to the legislature.
Assets cited as candidates for a possible deployment to Hormuz include P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft and navy logistics support ships. An actual deployment would be the first at Washington's request in 22 years, since the Zaytun Division was sent to Iraq in 2004.
