Seoul: South Korea is planning to expand the operations of its Cheonghae anti-piracy unit to waters closer to the Strait of Hormuz as growing pressure from Donald Trump, US President for support during the Iran war.
The Defence Ministry stated that the proposal would extend the unit’s area of operation towards waters near the Omani port of Duqm. The port is around 650 kilometres (403 miles) from the Strait of Hormuz. The plan requires parliamentary approval before it can take effect.
The proposal will be submitted to parliament and must also receive approval from Lee Jae Myung, President of South Korea and the cabinet. The move would broaden the unit’s current operational area while keeping its mission focused on maritime security and the protection of commercial shipping.
The Cheonghae unit has been deployed in the Gulf of Aden since 2009. Its primary role is to help ensure safe passage for commercial vessels and counter piracy in the region. Expanding its operations towards Oman would bring the unit closer to a strategically important shipping route.
The President Lee noted that on September 18 that South Korea would not send military assets to the Middle East in a way that could draw the country into the conflict. However, Lee also indicated that Seoul was examining ways to take a greater role in protecting navigation in the region.
The proposed change comes as Trump criticised Seoul for what the US president considers inadequate support for the war in Iran. The disagreement added pressure to relations between the two allies. Trump also scaled back major joint military exercises involving the US and South Korean armed forces during the summer, unsettling Seoul.
South Korea has significant economic interests in the security of the Strait of Hormuz. The country depends heavily on imported oil and obtained 70 percent of its supplies from the Middle East in 2025. Most of those shipments passed through the strait, according to the Industry Ministry.
The proposed expansion reflects that position. South Korea is considering a wider contribution to maritime security while seeking to avoid direct involvement in the Iran conflict. The parliamentary process will determine whether the Cheonghae unit can operate closer to the Strait of Hormuz.
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