Exclusive: S. Korea Preparing Troops for Hormuz Deployment... Including P-8 and EOD

It has been confirmed that the South Korean government has decided in principle to dispatch assets such as P-8 maritime patrol aircraft, an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team, and a Navy logistics support ship to the Strait of Hormuz.

A key Ministry of National Defense official told SBS yesterday, "We are making specific preparations to deploy naval forces to the Strait of Hormuz."

The official explained, "The P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, a logistics support ship, and the EOD team are the forces slated for deployment."

If deployed, the Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft will be tasked with monitoring submarines and surface vessels belonging to threatening forces.

The EOD team consists of personnel from the Underwater Demolition Team (UDT) of the Naval Special Warfare Flotilla, and upon deployment, they are expected to conduct joint operations with foreign navies.

The logistics support ship is projected to be given the role of providing rear-support for the patrol aircraft and the EOD team.

For the patrol aircraft and logistics support ship to reach the Strait of Hormuz, they must stop at foreign ports of call, and during the Hormuz operation, airports and ports in neighboring countries will be needed for logistical support.

A high-ranking military official told SBS, "I understand that discussions regarding ports of call and operational bases are underway with the countries concerned."

Actual deployment of the patrol aircraft, EOD team, and logistics support ship requires a decision by the National Security Council (NSC), a resolution by the Cabinet meeting, and consent from the National Assembly. There are projections that a motion for parliamentary consent could be submitted as early as this month.

While the presidential office maintains its stance that "nothing has been decided," it is reported that the South Korean government's acceleration of the deployment is influenced by continuous pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump.

President Trump has repeatedly claimed that "South Korea is not helping with the war involving Iran despite receiving help from the United States."
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.