South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported on Thursday, citing the country's Ministry of Defense, that the anti-piracy unit "Chongha" will expand its scope of operations and conduct operations in waters closer to the Strait of Hormuz. According to this report, the South Korean government plans to present to parliament a plan to expand the mission of this unit in the Middle East. The Chungha unit's current mission in the region is valid until the end of 2026, and the South Korean government will seek parliamentary approval for its continued deployment after that date. Earlier, Yonhap reported that South Korea's Ministry of Defense sent a team to assess the security of the Strait of Hormuz on September 8, but did not decide on the deployment of forces. At the end of September, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, in a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, emphasized Seoul's willingness to help restore free passage through the Strait of Hormuz. South Korean President Lee Jae-myung also said that Seoul will not intervene in a foreign war, but must take limited measures to protect its citizens, ships and energy lines.

South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported on Thursday, citing the country's Ministry of Defense, that the anti-piracy unit "Chongha" will expand its scope of operations and conduct operations in waters closer to the Strait of Hormuz. According to this report, the South Korean government plans to present to parliament a plan to expand the mission of this unit in the Middle East. The Chungha unit's current mission in the region is valid until the end of 2026, and the South Korean government will seek parliamentary approval for its continued deployment after that date. Earlier, Yonhap reported that South Korea's Ministry of Defense sent a team to assess the security of the Strait of Hormuz on September 8, but did not decide on the deployment of forces. At the end of September, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, in a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, emphasized Seoul's willingness to help restore free passage through the Strait of Hormuz. South Korean President Lee Jae-myung also said that Seoul will not intervene in a foreign war, but must take limited measures to protect its citizens, ships and energy lines.