South Korea expands its naval mission near the Strait of Hormuz to protect trade and energy supplies

South Korea will deploy a maritime patrol aircraft, a mine-clearing team and autonomous equipment near the Strait of Hormuz in a mission intended to protect commercial shipping and Seoul’s economic interests. The announcement was made Thursday by South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense.

The area of operations for the Cheonghae anti-piracy unit, which protects commercial vessels in the Gulf of Aden, is expected to be expanded to international waters near the strait. In addition to a destroyer, the mission will include a P-8 maritime patrol aircraft, a mine-clearing team, naval surface drones and remotely operated underwater robots.

South Korean authorities say the operation will be strictly non-combat in nature and independent of any allied force. The ships and aircraft will operate in international waters south of Oman, without targeting or monitoring Iranian territory, Iran’s territorial waters or the interior of the Strait of Hormuz.

Extending the mandate of the Cheonghae unit, currently authorized through the end of the year, requires parliamentary approval. Seoul says it does not intend to participate in the war between the United States, Israel and Iran, despite U.S. appeals to its allies. Tehran has previously warned South Korea not to contribute to military operations in the area.