South Korea’s Defense Ministry is weighing expanding its Cheonghae Unit’s patrol
area into the Gulf of Oman near the Strait of Hormuz, the Dong-A Ilbo and other
Korean media reported. After US President Trump asked Seoul to dispatch
warships, the government considered sending additional vessels but judged that
infeasible and is instead likely to broaden the unit’s operational zone to
“contribute to security of the Strait of Hormuz.” A government official said on
Oct. 16 the regional security situation has worsened and pirate attacks in the
Gulf of Aden off Somalia have risen versus prior years, making expansion into
the Gulf of Oman the most probable option.
