• The country aims to join US-led Maritime force to guard the oil tankers sailing through Strait of Hormuz by sending a Cheonghae unit.
• This came in response to a U.S.' request to join Washington-led maritime security initiative.

South Korea has reportedly planned to join a U.S.-led maritime force in the Middle East by dispatching a naval unit (including a destroyer) to help guard the oil tankers sailing through the Strait of Hormuz.

The unending tensions between Iran and the United States have gradually increased since Washington withdrew from the Iranian nuclear deal put forward last year and re-imposed the authorizations on Tehran.

Reportedly, the recent attacks on oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Iran, further envenomed the ties, encouraging the U.S. officials to call for allies to join a planned maritime security mission.

A source familiar with the knowledge of the matter reportedly cited that South Korea had been firm on sending its anti-piracy Cheonghae unit along with helicopters. The South Korean Navy unit is presently conducting anti-piracy operations in waters of Somalia, near the Strait.

Ro Jae-cheon, Deputy Ministry spokesman was reportedly quoted stating that the country is looking forward to various possibilities of protecting its ships which have been passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

The other countries that were requested to provide the maritime security include Japan, France, Germany, Australia and others.

John Bolton, the U.S. national security adviser in his recent visit to Seoul discussed the issue with senior officials but the official request has not been made yet, reports cite.

The Cheonghae unit by South Korea has been stationed in the Gulf of Aden for over 10 years now, working to address piracy in collaboration with African countries as well as the United States and the European Union.

Despite various speculations, Seoul has not confirmed the specifics over the plan but has reportedly expressed the optimism during John Bolton’s trip to the country.

Source credit: https://in.reuters.com/article/mideast-iran-southkorea/south-korea-to-send-naval-unit-to-strait-of-hormuz-newspaper-idINKCN1UO07G