[Anchor]
Regarding the deployment to the Strait of Hormuz requested by U.S. President Trump, it has been learned that the South Korean military has drawn up a plan to dispatch a maritime patrol aircraft, a logistics support ship, and an explosive ordnance disposal team. The total number of troops is estimated to be around 150, and discussions are reportedly underway regarding where to set up local operational bases, which is directly tied to the safety of the service members.
For the first news report, Kim Taehun, our military affairs correspondent, has the details.
[Reporter]
The Strait of Hormuz deployment plan formulated by the South Korean military involves sending one P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, one logistics support ship, and one explosive ordnance disposal team to the region.
The total number of dispatched troops under this plan is approximately 150.
A key official from the Ministry of National Defense told SBS, "Which patrol aircraft and which support ship to deploy have already been decided," which means specific deployment assets and personnel have been finalized.
Issues yet to be decided include which countries' airports and ports the patrol aircraft and support ship will use for refueling and other supplies while en route to the operational zone in the strait, as well as which country and port will host the base within the strait.
The location of the Strait of Hormuz operational base is directly linked to the safety issue of the deployed troops.
A high-ranking military official told SBS, "The operational base must meet the conditions of being outside Iran's attack range while remaining close to the operational zone within the Strait of Hormuz."
The official added, "We are currently screening countries that have bases meeting these conditions."
The patrol aircraft will be tasked with detecting surface ships or submarines of threatening forces, the support ship with supplying fuel and food, and the explosive ordnance disposal team with clearing mines.
Because the dispatched force is relatively small-scale, the South Korean military cannot conduct such operations independently and must carry out combined operations with the military forces of other nations.
The government is known to have shared this naval asset deployment plan not only with the United States but also with the governments of the United Kingdom and France, which is interpreted as a measure keeping combined operations in mind upon deployment.
(Video Journalist: Kim Hyun-sang, Video Editor: Jung Sung-hoon, Design: Kim Min-young)
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