South Korea reiterated Tuesday that it would not become involved in the war with Iran, after Tehran warned Seoul against deploying military forces near the Strait of Hormuz.
The Cabinet on Tuesday approved a plan to extend the deployment of the Cheonghae Unit, expand its operational area and send additional military assets.
“The government is proceeding with a motion to extend the Cheonghae Unit’s deployment while strengthening its mission, under the principle of noninvolvement and noninterference in the war, for the purposes of protecting our citizens and safeguarding our economic interests,” a Foreign Ministry official said.
The official added that Seoul was continuing consultations with Iran and other countries concerned.
The government is seeking National Assembly approval to expand the Cheonghae Unit’s area of operations from the Gulf of Aden off Somalia to waters south of Oman, close to the Strait of Hormuz.
It also plans to deploy additional assets, including a maritime patrol aircraft, an explosive ordnance disposal team and unmanned mine-countermeasure equipment.
The government has stressed that the expanded mission does not amount to deploying South Korean forces to the Strait of Hormuz itself and is intended solely to protect South Korean nationals and economic interests.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei warned Monday against such a deployment, saying South Korea should refrain from sending military forces to the region under the pretext of helping reopen the strait.
He said further military involvement would complicate an already volatile regional situation.
cheesuk@heraldcorp.com
