South Korea considers expanding military presence in Middle East

South Korea’s Kyunghyang newspaper reported that the government is considering expanding the operations of the Cheonghae anti-piracy unit, which has been deployed in the Gulf of Aden since 2009, to include the Gulf of Oman, which leads to the Strait of Hormuz.

The newspaper said the administration of President Lee Jae-myung plans to submit a proposal to parliament to extend the unit’s mission, which is due to expire on December 31, 2026. It added that the government is also considering deploying a frigate to the region to strengthen operations.

Meanwhile, South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense confirmed that the government is considering submitting a proposal to extend the unit’s mission before its current mandate expires, noting that no decision has yet been made on the details of the extension.

The ministry pointed to deteriorating security conditions in the Gulf of Aden, citing a sharp increase in piracy activity compared with last year.

The Cheonghae Unit consists of a 4,400-ton destroyer, a maritime operations helicopter, up to three rigid-hulled inflatable boats, and approximately 300 military personnel.

These developments come as US President Donald Trump pressures South Korea to provide greater support for the war against Iran, criticizing what he described as insufficient South Korean assistance.

Washington has also scaled back major joint military exercises with Seoul this summer, a move that has raised concerns in the Asian country.