South Korea Signals 'Phased' Support for US-Led Hormuz Mission
South Korea has said it will offer phased support to the US-led mission to safeguard navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. The decision follows an attack last week on a South Korean-flagged commercial vessel transiting the strait.
South Korea's government said it will provide phased support to a US-led coalition charged with safeguarding navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. The Ministry of National Defense said it would deploy a liaison officer in the first phase and assess whether to add escorted-transit options later.
The decision came after an unattributed strike last week damaged a South Korean-flagged commercial vessel transiting the strait. Officials said the incident is under investigation and it remains too early to draw conclusions about responsibility.
South Korea relies on the Strait of Hormuz for a significant share of its energy imports. The government said the security of maritime trade routes is critical for energy and supply-chain stability, that coordination with allies will continue and that operational details would be clarified in the coming weeks.
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