South Korea reviews phased support for Strait of Hormuz security efforts

SEOUL: South Korea is considering a phased contribution to efforts aimed at ensuring safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back said on Wednesday, indicating support measures that fall short of direct military participation, according to Yonhap News Agency.

Ahn made the remarks at a press conference with South Korean media correspondents in Washington after meeting US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth on Monday. He said he had conveyed Seoul’s position during the talks. "We said at about this level that, fundamentally, we will participate as a responsible member of the international community and that we will review ways to contribute in a phased manner," he stated.

According to Ahn, possible forms of support under such a phased approach could include political backing, dispatching personnel, sharing information and providing military assets. He stressed, however, that there had been no detailed discussion about broadening the role of South Korean troops.

"There was no deep discussion on something like specifically expanding our military’s participation," he said, adding that any decision would have to go through domestic legal procedures.

Attack on South Korean ship

The meeting between the South Korean and US defence chiefs took place a day after Seoul condemned an attack on a South Korean-flagged vessel near the Strait of Hormuz last week.

South Korea’s presidential office strongly denounced the incident, but said it was still examining who was responsible for the attack.

During the meeting, Hegseth said the United States expected its allies to stand together in the face of growing global threats. He cited US President Donald Trump’s authorisation of what he described as Operation Epic Fury as proof of the administration’s determination.

Hegseth also welcomed Seoul’s plans to raise defence spending and take on greater responsibility for the security of the Korean Peninsula, describing it as an example of burden-sharing within the alliance.

Separately, Ahn told reporters that Hegseth had shown understanding regarding South Korea’s position on a conditions-based transfer of wartime operational control, or OPCON, from the United States, as well as the objective of completing the process at an early date.

According to Yonhap, Ahn also said the two sides exchanged views on other alliance matters, including plans to build nuclear-powered submarines.

He said the talks did not include any discussion of reducing the number of US troops stationed in South Korea or the strategic flexibility of American forces based there.