'Cheonghae Unit Mission Area Expansion' Deployment Extension Motion Approved at Cabinet Meeting

Mission area expanded to waters south of Oman, 650 km from the Strait of Hormuz
Additional deployment of EOD team and unmanned mine-clearing equipment
To be submitted to the National Assembly after presidential approval

A motion to extend the deployment of the Cheonghae Unit, expanding its area of operations from the Gulf of Aden off Somalia to offshore waters south of Oman and adding a maritime patrol aircraft and mine-clearing equipment, passed a Cabinet meeting on November 10.

Wang Geon, the 31st contingent of the Cheonghae Unit. Yonhap News

The Ministry of National Defense said the motion was approved at a Cabinet meeting chaired by President Lee Jae-myung that day, adding, "It is expected to be submitted to the National Assembly soon after the remaining procedures are completed." The motion will undergo presidential approval, followed by review and a plenary vote in the National Assembly.

The motion calls for expanding the Cheonghae Unit's area of operations to offshore waters south of Oman, about 650 km from the southern end of the Strait of Hormuz. In addition to the existing destroyer, it will deploy one maritime patrol aircraft, an explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) team, and unmanned mine-clearing equipment, including unmanned surface and underwater vehicles. The number of personnel deployed will increase by 75, bringing the total to as many as 395. A motion to extend the deployment of the Akh Unit, which supports military education and training in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), was also approved that day.

The Ministry of National Defense said, "We have drawn up a plan to strengthen the Cheonghae Unit's mission to protect Korean nationals and safeguard our economic interests," adding, "By bolstering maritime patrol aircraft and mine-clearance support capabilities, the unit will operate in its mission areas in the Gulf of Aden and offshore waters south of Oman."

The mission will also include "support for restoring freedom of navigation along international maritime routes." The reinforcement of mine-clearance capabilities is also intended to prepare for the possibility of participating in an international operation to remove mines from the Strait of Hormuz, should conditions allow. However, expanding the area of operations does not mean the unit will be deployed on operations inside the Strait of Hormuz.

The government has cited increased pirate activity and an operational gap in waters south of Oman, resulting from the concentration of multinational forces in the Strait of Hormuz, as reasons for strengthening the mission. The Ministry of National Defense stressed, "Under the principle of absolutely not becoming involved in or intervening in the war, we will maintain an independent chain of command and do everything possible to carry out our mission of protecting Korean nationals and vessels."

Iran, however, expressed concern about the possibility of military intervention. Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesperson for Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a regular briefing on November 9 local time, "South Korea should refrain from deploying military forces in the region under the pretext of supporting the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz," adding, "It should avoid becoming involved in a situation that is already sufficiently complicated."

Since its first deployment in 2009, the Cheonghae Unit has received National Assembly approval each year to extend its deployment. If the motion passes the National Assembly, the deployment will be extended through December 31, 2027.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.