World’s 5th most powerful military prepares for possible Strait of Hormuz mission with US, UK and France after attacks on African-flagged vessels

Seoul is reviewing military and non-military options to support freedom of navigation, although its presidential office said on Friday that no final decision had been made.

South Korean media, including JTBC and MBC, reported that the government was preparing for a possible deployment before the end of 2026 and could seek parliamentary approval this month.

Options include a maritime patrol aircraft, a logistics support vessel or a mine detection and clearance unit.

“Nothing has been decided,” a South Korean presidential official said, adding that Seoul must consider domestic legal procedures, military readiness on the Korean Peninsula and parliamentary approval.

South Korea ranks fourth among Asian military powers and fifth globally in Global Firepower’s 2026 index, behind the United States, Russia, China and India globally.

The potential South Korean deployment comes after a series of attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, including at least four identified Liberia-flagged vessels and other ships sailing under the Liberian registry.

Earlier this week, the Liberia-flagged Senegal Prosperity was struck by three unknown projectiles while leaving Hormuz, minutes after the Saudi-flagged Sidr was also hit. Each tanker was carrying about two million barrels of Saudi crude.

“The near-simultaneous incidents represent a further escalation in the threat environment within the Omani corridor,” shipping intelligence firm Marisks said.

Other Liberia-flagged vessels have also been hit during months of disruption.

The Minoan Dignity was struck by an unknown projectile while leaving Hormuz on August 18, damaging its engine room and causing a crew casualty.

Another Liberia-flagged bulk carrier, Minoan Pioneer, was struck on August 3, forcing most of its crew to abandon ship.

In July, the Liberia-flagged Cyprus Prosperity was among three commercial vessels that US Central Command said were attacked while transiting Hormuz.

The attacks give the crisis an African maritime link through Liberia’s major ship registry, while Africa remains exposed to Hormuz disruption, with about half of its diesel imports coming from the Middle East last year.

A potential deployment would also mark a shift in Seoul’s position after tensions with Washington over the Iran conflict.

US President Donald Trump ordered the Pentagon in August to “substantially reduce” joint military exercises with South Korea, citing their cost and Seoul’s refusal to participate in US actions against Iran.

South Korea and the US subsequently shortened their annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises from 11 days to five and scaled back some field training.

Seoul is now discussing possible contributions to security in the Strait of Hormuz with the US, Britain and France.

“It is important to contribute to ensuring the Strait of Hormuz remains open because South Korea has significant economic interests tied to the waterway,” retired Lieutenant General Chun In-bum, a former South Korean special forces commander, told Reuters.

Those interests are substantial. South Korea relied on the strait for 61% of its crude oil imports and 54% of its naphtha imports last year.

However, any deployment would require approval from South Korea’s National Assembly, with a March Gallup Korea poll showing 55% opposed sending warships to Hormuz and 30% in support.