Lee Jae-myung agrees to South Korean military's proximity to the Strait of Hormuz

[Global Times Special Correspondent Zhao Chun] South Korean President Lee Jae-myung chaired a State Council meeting at the Blue House on the 10th, during which the proposal to extend the deployment period of the "Cheonghae Unit" was reviewed and approved. The day before, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baghaei stated at a regular press conference regarding the expansion of the operational area of South Korea's "Cheonghae Unit": "The best help that South Korea can provide is not to get involved in complex issues."

According to Yonhap News Agency, after the proposal is approved by the president, it will be submitted to the National Assembly, and it will take effect after receiving the Assembly's consent. The main content of the proposal is to expand the mission scope of the "Cheonghae Unit," which is deployed to escort in the Gulf of Aden, to the southern waters of Oman near the Strait of Hormuz.

The proposal also includes the additional deployment of a maritime patrol aircraft, an explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) team, unmanned mine-clearing equipment, and other forces, with the "Cheonghae Unit" tasked with "supporting the restoration of freedom of navigation in international shipping channels." This initiative aims to prepare for potential mine-clearing operations in the Strait of Hormuz that the international community may undertake following a ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran.

Regarding Lee Jae-myung's decision, some analysts believe this is the first military measure taken by South Korea to stabilize the situation in the Strait of Hormuz. However, the government's decision has still been criticized as "indirectly sending troops." A joint poll conducted by four South Korean polling agencies showed that over 40% of the South Korean public opposes the government's deployment of troops to the Strait of Hormuz.

In response, the South Korean Ministry of Defense stated that expanding the mission of the "Cheonghae Unit" is solely to protect the safety and economic interests of South Korean citizens, and that South Korea will maintain an independent command system for the "Cheonghae Unit" under the principle of not intervening or getting involved in wars, committed to ensuring the safety of South Korean citizens and vessels.         

Iran had previously issued warnings regarding this matter. On September 7, Baghaei, through his social media platform X account, unusually issued a statement in Korean, warning South Korea not to send troops to the Strait of Hormuz.