Korea weighs role in postwar Hormuz security initiatives

The ROKS Wang Geon, carrying the 48th Cheonghae Unit contingent, departs from the Naval Operations Command base in Busan, May 15. Yonhap

With a tentative U.S.-Iran peace deal expected to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the Korean government's attention is likely to shift to its potential role in postwar initiatives to restore freedom of navigation in the waterway, a key global trade route.

While it has remained cautious about joining separate maritime security initiatives, one led by the U.S. and the other led by the U.K. and France, Korea may now accelerate discussions over its participation as tensions in the region are expected to be eased. President Lee Jae Myung, who will attend the G7 summit in France from Tuesday to Wednesday, is expected to discuss the issue with the leaders of participating countries.

The Ministry of National Defense said Monday that it is reviewing ways to contribute to efforts aimed at ensuring freedom of navigation in the strait.

“The government will determine specific options after comprehensively assessing local threats, deployment requirements and operational capabilities,” ministry spokesperson Chung Binna said during a briefing.

She added that nothing has been decided regarding whether to deploy military assets or what type of assets could be involved.

The comments came after Washington and Tehran reached a tentative peace agreement and announced plans to sign a memorandum of understanding in Switzerland on Friday. U.S. President Donald Trump said the agreement would reopen the strait, which has remained effectively closed since war broke out on Feb. 28.

Analysts say that reopening the strait is only the first step, with mine-clearing and maritime security likely to dominate the next phase.

At the G7 summit, leaders are likely to exchange views on postwar stabilization efforts and freedom of navigation. Trump had previously called on allies, including Korea, to join its Maritime Freedom Construct initiative by deploying warships, while Britain and France have also discussed ways to support maritime security in and around the strait.

Korea is likely to face renewed pressure to join either of the two initiatives, and to cooperate on mine-clearing operations, which may be essential for restoring ships' actual freedom of navigation through the strait.

G7 logos are pictured on the pier ahead of the summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, Friday. Reuters-Yonhap

Park Won-gon, a professor of North Korean studies at Ewha Womans University, said restoring freedom of navigation will require more than a political agreement between Washington and Tehran.

“Freedom of navigation cannot be fully restored unless the mines are removed,” Park said. “Even if the agreement takes effect, it will not be easy for the Strait of Hormuz to return immediately to prewar conditions.”

He added that Iran appears likely to retain a degree of influence over traffic through the waterway even after its reopening, making continued international cooperation necessary.

Park said that only a handful of countries possess meaningful mine-clearing capabilities.

“Japan is widely regarded as maintaining one of the world’s strongest mine countermeasure forces, while Korea is also considered among the most capable operators,” he said. “Because Korea has long maintained mine countermeasure capabilities in preparation for potential conflict on the Korean Peninsula, it is one of the countries capable of contributing to such operations.”

Military officials say the challenge lies in deploying and sustaining those assets for a mission in the Gulf region, since the Navy’s mine countermeasure vessels are designed primarily for coastal operations.

“The issue is not whether we can conduct mine-clearing operations,” a military source said. “The bigger challenge is transporting and sustaining those assets so far from home.”

The source added that any overseas deployment of mine countermeasure vessels would likely require extensive logistical support and transportation arrangements.