South Korea plans to expand the operations of its anti-piracy naval unit to waters closer to the Strait of Hormuz, the Defence Ministry said, in a move that follows sustained pressure from US President Donald Trump for Seoul to do more to support the war in Iran.
The government will ask parliament to extend the Cheonghae unit’s deployment to the Middle East, which is due to expire at the end of 2026, a ministry spokesperson said, confirming a report by Yonhap News Agency. The motion must also be approved by President Lee Jae Myung and the cabinet.
Under the plan, the unit’s area of operation would extend to waters near the port of Duqm in Oman, about 650 kilometres (403 miles) from the strait. Seoul would also deploy a P-8A maritime patrol aircraft and add 75 personnel to the unit, the Korea Herald reported.
The Cheonghae unit has been stationed in the Gulf of Aden since 2009 to protect commercial shipping from piracy. It currently comprises a 4,400-tonne destroyer, a maritime operations helicopter, up to three rigid-hull inflatable boats and about 300 service members, according to broadcaster YTN.
Trump has criticised Seoul for what he called insufficient support for the Iran war and scaled back major joint military drills between the two countries’ armed forces this summer, a move that unsettled the US ally. The stakes for Seoul are high: South Korea sourced 70% of its oil from the Middle East in 2025, most of it shipped through the Strait of Hormuz, according to the Industry Ministry.
President Lee said on 18 September that he would not deploy military assets to the Middle East in a way that could draw the country into conflict, but said Seoul was reviewing a greater role in safeguarding navigation in the region. The new plan appears to be the outcome of that review — a step towards the strait, but stopping short of entering it.
Sources: Reuters, “South Korea to expand anti-piracy unit operations closer to Strait of Hormuz” (https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/south-korea-expand-anti-piracy-unit-operations-closer-strait-hormuz-2026-11-05/). Note: details of the P-8A deployment and personnel increase are reported via the Korea Herald, as cited by Reuters; the ministry’s confirmation is reported via Yonhap, as cited by Reuters.
