South Korea confirmed on 4 September that it analysed military support for shipping in the Strait of Ormuz, but the decision has not yet been made. There is simply a patrol aircraft, a logistics vessel or a mine-mining unit involved, and Parliament must agree. Seoul responds to the pressures of Donald Trump while besides guarding the defence against North Korea.
Seoul has 3 military variants.
President Lee Jae Myung's administration confirmed that it is considering applicable forms of participation in the protection of freedom of navigation by the Strait of Ormuz. South Korean media lists a marine patrol aircraft P-8 Poseidon, a logistics support vessel and a unit capable of detecting and removing mines. No option has yet received political approval.
A typical of the President's office stressed that a possible mission cannot weaken South Korea's defence capabilities. According to Yonhap Seoul has been consulting Washington for months to respond to US calls to safe a strategical trail. The talks now besides include the UK and France and the possible usage of ports and airports as support points.
Parliament and society can say no
Foreign usage of South Korean forces requires the approval of the National Assembly. The government has not yet made a proposal to Parliament, and the public support for shipping ships is limited. In the March Gallup Korea survey, 55% of respondents opposed specified a mission and 30% supported it.
This caution has reasonable grounds. South Korea lives under constant atomic and rocket force of the Pyongyang arsenal. North Korea's cooperation with Russia strengthens this threat, so any decision of aircraft, ship or specialised personnel outside the region must be counted for its own safety. An alliance cannot mean giving up national responsibility.
Trump push and alliance bill
Donald Trump publically accused Seoul of not helping the war against Iran. In August, he linked this refusal to limiting joint American-South Korean exercises. This is simply a tough, transactional policy towards an ally: security, trade and defence costs become elements of a single negotiating package.
For South Korea, however, this is not a distant dispute. Data cited by the administration indicate that 61% of South Korean oil imports and 54% of oil imports passed through the Ormuz Strait last year. The closure or permanent regulation of shipping so straight affects industry, transport and household accounts.
Seoul already has experience in protecting shipping. As of 2009, he maintains the Cheonghae unit off the Somali coast as part of anti-piracy action. However, the mission to Ormuz would be the first marine engagement outside the Korean Peninsula since the launch of the operation and would take place in a much tougher political environment.
Poland should pay close attention to this dispute
For Poland, Seoul's decision is crucial by energy prices, stableness of planet trade and defence cooperation with South Korea. Korean K2 tanks strengthen Polish troops todaythat is why the strategical and industrial condition of this country is not abstract for us. The crisis in Ormuz can rise production, transport and contracts costs in many markets.
Seoul should aid defend shipping erstwhile the conditions of the mission are clearly defined, hazard controlled and self-defense secured. Power force does not replace sovereign state decisions. This lesson is besides crucial for Warsaw: alliances are a tool of national security, not consent to the automatic execution of another people's demands.
