South Korea plans to expand the mission area of the Cheonghae Force to the waters near the Strait of Hormuz

China News Service, Seoul, November 5 (Reporter Kim Wook) The South Korean Ministry of National Defense stated on the 5th local time that it plans to submit a revised consent bill to Congress to extend the dispatch period of the Cheonghae troops, which includes expanding the mission area of ​​the troops to the southern seas of Oman and increasing military equipment and troops.

The Cheonghae Force is South Korea's overseas dispatched force to the Gulf of Aden since 2009. It mainly performs escort and anti-piracy operations. Yonhap News Agency reported that this move can be regarded as South Korea’s first practical step in military operations to stabilize the situation in the Strait of Hormuz.

Previously, the sea area where the Cheonghae troops were dispatched was stipulated as "the Gulf of Aden and the sea areas designated when carrying out activities to protect Korean citizens in emergencies." This revised consent bill will approximately double the mission area on the existing basis and extend to the southern end of Duqm Port in Oman. The straight-line distance from the Port of Duqm to the Strait of Hormuz is approximately 350 nautical miles (approximately 650 kilometers). The Gulf of Oman, which is directly connected to the Strait of Hormuz, is not included in the expansion of this mission area.

At the same time, the South Korean government plans to add the latest P-8A "Poseidon" maritime patrol aircraft, as well as unmanned mine clearance equipment such as unmanned underwater vehicles and remotely controlled underwater robots, and explosive ordnance disposal units. A total of 75 additional personnel were dispatched, bringing the total strength of the Ching Hai Force to 395.

According to Yonhap News Agency, an official from the South Korean Ministry of National Defense said that one of the main reasons for promoting the expansion of the mission scope and strength of the Cheonghae Force is that the conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthi armed forces in Yemen has led to a deployment vacancy in international maritime military forces, and an increase in piracy activities.

The official said that after expanding the scope of the mission, the Cheonghae force will adhere to four principles: first, never participate in or intervene in war; second, the purpose of dispatch is to protect Korean citizens and ships; third, restrict maritime patrol aircraft from conducting reconnaissance of Iranian territory, territorial waters and the internal areas of the Strait of Hormuz; fourth, conduct operations under South Korea’s independent command system.

The revised consent bill is expected to be submitted to the National Assembly for approval next week after being reviewed by the South Korean State Council and approved by the president. (over)