Busan: A 4,400-ton South Korean destroyer is set to depart from a naval base in Busan for a rotational deployment in an overseas mission based off the Somali coast, the Navy announced. The ROKS Wang Geon destroyer will join the Cheonghae unit, which is currently engaged in an anti-piracy mission in the Gulf of Aden.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Cheonghae unit's operations are currently restricted to waters off Somalia. However, there is potential for expanding its operational reach to the Strait of Hormuz if the South Korean government decides to join U.S. efforts to reopen the waterway, pending approval from the National Assembly.
The latest departure marks the ninth overseas mission for the destroyer and the 48th deployment to the Cheonghae unit. The contingent, consisting of around 260 troops, will include crew members, a boarding team from the naval special warfare flotilla, and an aviation unit operating Lynx helicopters. They are set for a six-month tour in the gulf.
The Cheonghae unit is tasked with escorting South Korean vessels in the Gulf of Aden and supporting international efforts to ensure maritime safety and counter terror threats. In case of emergencies, it will participate in maritime security operations led by the Combined Maritime Forces and the EU Naval Force Somalia.
The deployment comes amid speculation about the Cheonghae unit's potential involvement in multinational efforts to restore navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. This includes the U.S.-led Maritime Freedom Construct and missions led by France and Britain. The speculation arises after U.S. President Donald Trump urged allies to help keep the vital oil shipping route open following its closure due to U.S.-Israeli strikes against Iran.
During recent talks at the Pentagon, South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back discussed with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth the possibility of South Korea making "phased" contributions to the U.S. initiative to restore safe passage in the Strait of Hormuz. Ahn mentioned various means of participation, such as declaring support, dispatching personnel, sharing information, and providing military assets.