[Anchor]

The operational scope of the Cheonghae Unit operating in the Gulf of Aden is expected to expand significantly. Along with extending the deployment, plans are underway to nearly double the operational area compared to before, and to deploy an additional maritime patrol aircraft and an Explosive Ordnance Disposal team.

First, reporter Kim Min-jun explains in detail.

[Reporter]

The Cheonghae Unit has been dispatched to the waters of the Gulf of Aden in Somalia since 2009 to carry out counter-piracy operations.

It became widely known in 2011 for 'Operation Dawn of Gulf of Aden,' in which all 21 crew members held hostage by pirates, including Captain Seok Hae-gyun, were rescued.

While its deployment has been extended annually with the consent of the National Assembly, a revised motion to expand its operational area and bolster forces passed a vice-ministerial meeting today (November 5).

The Cheonghae Unit has so far operated centered around the Gulf of Aden, using the Port of Djibouti to the west and the Port of Salalah in Oman to the east as bases.

This revised motion expands the operational scope to the southern end of the Port of Duqm in southern Oman, nearly doubling the mission zone compared to the previous 1,100 kilometers.

The government cites a gap in international maritime capabilities caused by clashes between the pro-Iranian Houthi rebels and Saudi Arabia, as well as a sharp increase in pirate activity in the Gulf of Aden, as reasons for the revision.

The Strait of Hormuz, located more than 600 kilometers in a straight line from the Port of Duqm, as well as the Gulf of Oman, are not included in this newly expanded mission zone.

Equipment and capabilities will also be reinforced.

One P-8A Poseidon, an advanced maritime patrol aircraft known as a "submarine killer," will be deployed for reconnaissance missions.

Unmanned underwater and surface vehicles and unmanned exploratory probes to detect and clear naval mines were also added alongside an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team. As this is primarily an area of pirate activity where naval mines are difficult to find, the move is interpreted as being made with the Strait of Hormuz in mind.

The total personnel will increase from the current 320 to 395, with operational command held by the Chairman of South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Although a mission to "support restoring freedom of navigation on international sea lanes of communication" was added to the revision, a new parliamentary deployment consent motion would still be required to deploy the Cheonghae Unit to missions such as mine-clearing operations in the Strait of Hormuz.

(Video by Jeong Seong-hoon | Graphics by Hwang Se-yeon)

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[Anchor]

Let us look into the stance of the National Assembly, which will deliberate on the new extension motion submitted by the government.

Reporter Kim Hye-min, voices of opposition have already emerged, haven't they?

Q. Opposition voices in the National Assembly regarding the deployment motion?

[Reporter Kim Hye-min: The first to express opposition was the Rebuilding Korea Party. It argued that this unit, sent to deter pirates, must not be sent into a sea of war. It asserted that the moment Iran perceives this as a hostile act regardless of our intentions, South Korea could become a party to the war, making this effectively an indirect troop deployment. The Progressive Party also joined the criticism, calling it an outright declaration of entering the war. However, the Democratic Party emphasized that this is merely expanding the mission zone and is definitely not a combat deployment. Back in March, deployment to the Strait of Hormuz was brought up at the request of President Trump, and I personally spoke on the phone today with Democratic Party lawmakers who had publicly opposed it at the time. They said it is hard to view this as a troop deployment and described it as an unavoidable choice by the government.]

Q. Likelihood of the deployment motion passing?

[Reporter Kim Hye-min: The People Power Party took a somewhat reserved stance today. Even if they were to join hands with other opposition parties to block it, the Democratic Party, which holds a majority of seats, can pass the deployment motion on its own. However, backlash from progressive circles remains a challenge. The People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy also issued a critical statement, calling it a "deceptive troop deployment" and a "highly perilous decision." Coming on the heels of the recent multicultural families controversy, facing renewed friction with progressive circles over the troop deployment issue leaves the government and the ruling party unable to avoid this burden.]

[Reporter Kim Min-jun: Analysis suggests that the reason our government decided to expand the operational area and military strength, even at the cost of enduring such political controversy, is ultimately its long-deliberated answer to repeated U.S. requests for deployment to Hormuz. In consideration of domestic public opposition to troop deployment, the government made it clear that this is not a combat deployment, while adopting a stance that accommodates U.S. demands to a certain extent under the justification of international cooperation to restore freedom of navigation. In other words, it is a compromise and an unavoidable expedient.]

Q. Possibility of deployment to mine-clearing in Hormuz if the war with Iran ends?

[Reporter Kim Min-jun: South Korea's military also considers it highly likely that, in the event the war with Iran ends, troops could be deployed to mine-clearing operations in the Strait of Hormuz. This is because, as a major trading nation, South Korea can hardly evade its international role indefinitely. However, even in this scenario, a separate consent motion is required. Analysts view the addition of mine-related unmanned equipment and an EOD team—which are not strictly necessary in the currently dispatched operational zone—as preparatory steps in anticipation of this possibility.]

Q. Concerns regarding the extension motion?

[Reporter Kim Min-jun: Observations suggest that this could at least be expected to somewhat alleviate further pressure from Trump. Iran is also currently maintaining a reserved stance. When we inquired today about the Iranian Embassy in South Korea's position, they replied, "We have no comment at this time." However, with President Trump capable of applying additional pressure at any moment, and Iran having warned last September that "military intervention in Hormuz will bring severe consequences," the sparks of conflict could reignite at any time.]

(Video by Park Seon-soo)