"No Decision Made Yet on Hormuz Deployment"... Ruling Coalition Backlash

[Anchor]

It has been learned that our military has drawn up a deployment plan to send a force of about 150 personnel, including a naval vessel and an explosive ordnance disposal team, to the Strait of Hormuz. While the government is showing a cautious response, reiterating that nothing has been finalized and deepening its deliberation, backlash is emerging from within the pan-ruling coalition.

Our first report is by reporter Kim Hye-young.

[Reporter]

The deployment plan for the Strait of Hormuz drawn up by our military involves dispatching one P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, one logistics support ship, and one explosive ordnance disposal team.

The total dispatched personnel is approximately 150.

A key official from the Ministry of National Defense told SBS, "Which patrol aircraft and which support ship will be deployed has already been decided."

However, the operational base has not yet been determined.

A high-ranking military official said, "It must be a location outside the range of Iranian attacks yet close to the Strait of Hormuz operational zone," adding, "We are screening countries that meet the conditions."

However, a final decision at the government level has not yet been made.

A high-ranking Cheong Wa Dae official stated yesterday (the 4th), "Substantial contribution in the Strait of Hormuz includes military contribution," and added, "We have room to maneuver as long as there is no significant damage to our defense posture on the Korean Peninsula."

While leaving open the possibility of deployment, the official emphasized, "We are at the stage of reviewing various options such as combat, non-combat, and search," and "Nothing has been decided yet."

President Lee Jae-myung also reportedly met with representatives of civic and social organizations yesterday, emphasizing the necessity of securing safe navigation for our commercial vessels while stating, "Nothing has progressed yet."

Inside and outside the government, observations are emerging that support for Hormuz could become a breakthrough in South Korea-U.S. relations, but backlash is already surfacing among some members of the pan-ruling coalition.

Lawmaker Lee Gi-heon, a former secretary at the Cheong Wa Dae during the Moon Jae-in administration, stated, "Even if it is a non-combat force, its essence is clearly participation in war," and added, "If a request for deployment consent comes to the National Assembly, I will not consent." Cho Kuk Innovation Party Floor Leader Kim Jun-hyung said, "Deployment is a line that must never be crossed."

The government's deliberation is deepening as it must weigh the military and political burdens of deployment while taking care of South Korea-U.S. relations and the safety of our commercial vessels.

(Camera reporting: Jung Sang-bo, Kim Hyun-sang | Video editing: Choi Jin-hwa)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.