South Korea Prepares to Deploy Military Assets in Hormuz Strait

South Korean media reported late Thursday, citing government and military sources, that the country is preparing to deploy military assets to support freedom of navigation in the "Hormuz" strait, with plans to send them before the end of the year.

Reports from multiple South Korean media outlets indicated that the government is finalizing necessary procedures to secure parliamentary approval for the move, including submitting a request for approval to parliament this month after review by the Cabinet.

Reports noted that the government is considering options such as deploying a maritime patrol aircraft, a logistics support ship, or a mine detection and clearance unit, while also holding discussions on the scale and nature of the potential contribution with countries including the United States, Britain, and France, according to Reuters.

The Blue House, the presidential office in South Korea, said Seoul is exploring practical ways to contribute to freedom of navigation in the strait, but reports suggesting the government has decided to deploy military assets "differ from the facts".

U.S. President Donald Trump had stated in an August social media post that he reduced the size of joint military exercises between the United States and South Korea, citing Seoul’s refusal to assist Washington in the war against Iran as one reason.

More than 2,600 sailors and marines are stationed aboard the USS Boxer (LHD 4), a amphibious assault ship operating in the Middle East region, according to U.S. Central Command.

The guided-missile destroyer USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53) is supporting the U.S. naval blockade against Iran in Iranian territorial waters.