Cheong Wa Dae Considers “Phased” Deployment of Troops to the Strait of Hormuz

On December 12, Cheong Wa Dae said it was considering deploying a staff officer to the command center of the International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC) led by the United States in connection to the safe navigation of ships near the Strait of Hormuz. Cheong Wa Dae plans to first deploy the officer and decide on deploying additional troops after reviewing the situation. Cheong Wa Dae appears to have partially accepted the U.S. request for our troops in the Strait of Hormuz, while opting to deploy the troops gradually to prevent relations with Iran from deteriorating.

At a meeting of Cheong Wa Dae National Security Council (NSC) this day presided by chief of the National Security Office, Chung Eui-yong, officials said they “reviewed ways to contribute to international efforts for maritime security and to protect our people and ships near the Strait of Hormuz.”

A Cheong Wa Dae official said, “The U.S. has continued to ask South Korea to deploy troops to the Strait of Hormuz,” and further explained, “The announcement by the National Security Council is a message to the U.S. concerning the region.” Another official said, “We are open to the possibility of deploying troops as one way to contribute to international efforts.” This seems to suggest that the government is keeping the door open to the deployment of troops the strait as a way to improve bilateral relations with the U.S. As denuclearization talks between North Korea and the U.S. remain stranded pushing up military tensions on the Korean Peninsula, close cooperation with the U.S. is urgent for the South Korean government to manage the situation.

This day the National Security Council announced, “We discussed the recent security situation on the Korean Peninsula and decided to continue strengthening our cooperation with neighboring countries so that denuclearization talks between North Korea and the U.S. can quickly resume and substantial progress in the process for peace on the Korean Peninsula be made.” The council added, “We received a report on the fourth negotiations with the U.S. on the defense contribution and discussed future measures.”

However, Cheong Wa Dae is planning to deploy one staff officer to the command center of the International Maritime Security Construct and further review and decide the deployment of additional military power after eyeing the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and only when there is a request from the U.S.

This seems to be the conclusion reached by the government after pondering ways to prevent relations with Iran from deteriorating, in a situation where the government could not ignore the U.S. request for our troops. The direct trade volume between South Korea and Iran may not be big, but if tensions rise due to the deployment of warships, it could cause challenges in trade with other neighboring countries.

Cheong Wa Dae spokesperson Ko Min-jung said the government was still in the “reviewing stage” and explained, “Other topics as well as this was discussed, so we will have to wait until the end to see what the final decision will be.” The Ministry of National Defense announced, “The NSC discussed ways to protect our people and ships and to contribute to maritime security,” and added, “There was a request from the U.S. and we are currently discussing it, but nothing has been determined yet.”

■ A Move to Improve Relations with the U.S. Amidst Rising Tensions Between North Korea and the U.S.

On December 12, Cheong Wa Dae was reviewing the deployment of a staff officer to the command center of the International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC) led by the U.S. in connection to the safety of ships near the Strait of Hormuz. The government is desperate to improve relations with the U.S., just to prevent tensions with North Korea from escalating. So the government may have decided to partially accept the U.S. demand for our troops, while adjusting the speed with a phased deployment to prevent relations with Iran from worsening.

Cheong Wa Dae announced that officials “discussed the recent security situation on the Korean Peninsula and decided to continue strengthening cooperation with neighboring countries to quickly resume denuclearization negotiations between North Korea and the U.S. and make substantial progress in the process for peace on the Korean Peninsula,” in a meeting of the National Security Council presided by Chung Eui-yong, chief of the National Security Office.

Cheong Wa Dae added, “The standing committee members received a report on the fourth meeting with the U.S. on defense contributions and discussed future measures. They also discussed ways to protect our people and our ships near the Strait of Hormuz and contribute to international efforts for maritime security.”

After oil tankers from the West were attacked in the Strait of Hormuz following conflicts with Iran this year, the U.S. asked its allies including South Korea to deploy troops. Chung stood before the House Steering Committee on August 6 and said, “The U.S. made an oral request for us to deploy troops to the Strait of Hormuz.” He further said, “We will make a decision (on the deployment of troops) depending on our needs.”

Some experts believe Cheong Wa Dae’s announcement on the specific discussion related to the Strait of Hormuz this day was a message to the U.S. As tensions rise between North Korea and the U.S., the government may have shown that it can make an “effort” to respond to the U.S. request in order to improve cooperation with its ally. The NSC announcing plans to strengthen cooperation with neighboring countries to help denuclearization negotiations quickly resume also supports this interpretation.

However, even if Cheong Wa Dae decides to deploy troops, it is just considering sending one staff officer to the command center of the International Maritime Security Construct. The government claims it will decide on the deployment of additional troops after a review of U.S. requests.

South Korea cannot rule out the possibility of worsening relations with Iran if it sends troops to the Strait of Hormuz.

Recently, Iran criticized Japan when it released plans to deploy its Self-Defense Forces to the Strait of Hormuz instead of joining a U.S. military coalition. The South Korean government could face opposition from ruling party supporters as the Roh Moo-hyun government did when it decided to deploy troops to Iraq.

An official from the defense ministry said, “Last month, a joint command center in the Strait of Hormuz was established, and Japan made the decision to send its troops, so we discussed our actions. Sending an officer to the command center is one of several options we are considering.” The government decision resembles that of Japan’s. Kyodo News reported that in a cabinet meeting, Japan decided not to join the “defense coalition” led by the U.S. and instead decided to deploy an escort to the Middle East for research purposes.

Cheong Wa Dae left the door open to the possibility of deploying fighting power. First on the list was sending the Cheonghae Unit, currently in the waters near Somalia, to the Strait of Hormuz. If necessary, the government can deploy the Cheonghae Unit to the Strait of Hormuz without an approval from the National Assembly.

On December 10, the National Assembly passed a bill extending the service period of units deployed overseas, such as Dongmyeong, Akh, Cheonghae and Hanbit.

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