Ban Kil-joo, professor of international security at the Korea National
Diplomatic Academy, said a South Korean deployment to the Strait of Hormuz would
send an important signal to Washington that Seoul remains willing to shoulder
alliance responsibilities despite recent trade friction. He described
media-reported options — maritime patrol aircraft, logistics support ships and
mine countermeasure/clearance units — as a "medium-intensity" military
contribute that would support international efforts to secure navigation in
the Strait of Hormuz without amounting to combat operations against Iran.
