S. Korea to expand mission area closer to Hormuz

South Korea decided to expand the operational area of its anti-piracy Cheonghae Unit from the Gulf of Aden to open waters south of Oman near the Port of Duqm, about 650 km from the Strait of Hormuz. The unit will operate independently under South Korean command rather than joining the US-led mission on Iran.

Seoul emphasized that the mission is strictly for non-combat protection of citizens, commercial vessels, and energy supplies. On the authority of the government, patrol aircraft are prohibited from targeting or monitoring Iranian territory, territorial waters, or the interior of the strait.