Cheonghae Unit to Waters off Oman? Expansion of Operations Under Review

[Anchor]

The South Korean government is considering expanding the operational scope of the Cheonghae Unit deployed in the Gulf of Aden to waters adjacent to Oman, as well as dispatching an additional maritime patrol aircraft. Amid the administration's stance that sending troops to a war zone is not possible, some interpret this move as effectively substituting for a troop dispatch.

Reporter Choi Jae-yeong reports.

[Reporter]

The Ministry of National Defense is reportedly considering extending the deployment of the Cheonghae Unit, which expires at the "end of this year," and expanding its current operational scope, which has been focused on the Gulf of Aden, to waters adjacent to Oman that connect to the Strait of Hormuz.

As the operational area widens, deploying an additional maritime patrol aircraft to monitor vessel movements has also reportedly been placed on the discussion table.

However, the Ministry of National Defense maintains that reviewing the expansion of the Cheonghae Unit's operational scope is not in response to the U.S. request for a "troop dispatch to Hormuz."

The ministry explained that pirate activities in the Gulf of Aden area have surged in the aftermath of the war in Iran, making it necessary to strengthen response capabilities to protect South Korean commercial vessels.

However, some interpret that expanding the Cheonghae Unit's operational area to waters off Oman instead of dispatching separate troops effectively serves to "substitute" for a troop deployment.

An official from Cheong Wa Dae explained, "The expansion of the Cheonghae Unit's mission can effectively be seen as meaning that troops will not be dispatched."

Earlier, President Lee Jae-myung stated at a press conference last month that there would be no "troop deployment to war," while also mentioning the reinforcement of the Cheonghae Unit's activities.

[President Lee Jae-myung (Press Conference to the Nation (September 18)) : "There is no troop dispatch that involves or intervenes in the war. I can state that clearly. It is also true that we are reviewing and giving serious consideration to strengthening this (the Cheonghae Unit's mission)."]

Taking domestic concerns into account, some predict that even if the Cheonghae Unit's operational scope is expanded, the actual implementation may not take place until after the war in Iran ends.

Since its first deployment in 2009, the Cheonghae Unit has extended its deployment period annually with the consent of the National Assembly.

(Video by Jeong Sang-bo and Kim Hyeon-sang | Video Editing by Jeong Seong-hun | Graphics by Cho Soo-in)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.