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 sit

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.