"About 150 Troops to Be Deployed"... Location of Base Tied to Safety Also a Key Factor

[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 at around 150, and discussions are reportedly underway on where to set up the local operational base, which is directly linked to the safety of the service members.

For our first report, defense specialist reporter Kim Taehun has the details.

[Reporter]

The South Korean military's deployment plan for the Strait of Hormuz involves sending one P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, one logistics support ship, and one explosive ordnance disposal team to the region.

The total personnel for this plan is approximately 150 troops.

A key Ministry of National Defense official told SBS, "Which patrol aircraft and which support ship will be deployed has already been decided," meaning that the specific deployment assets and personnel have been finalized.

Issues that have not yet been decided include which countries' airports and ports the patrol aircraft and support ship will use for refueling while en route to the operational zone of the strait, as well as which country and which port within the strait will host the base.

The location of the operational base in the Strait of Hormuz is directly tied to the safety issues 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, "Currently, we are screening countries that have bases meeting these conditions."

The patrol aircraft will be tasked with detecting surface vessels 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 joint operations with the militaries of other countries.

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 joint operations in mind upon deployment.

(Camera: Kim Hyun-sang, Video Editing: Jung Seong-hun, Design: Kim Min-영)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.