South Korea weighs phased role in Hormuz security efforts

South Korea is considering a phased contribution to international efforts to ensure safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, stopping short of committing to direct military participation, Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back said Wednesday, May 13.

Speaking at a press conference with South Korean media correspondents in Washington, Ahn said he had conveyed Seoul’s position during a meeting with US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth on Monday, according to Yonhap News Agency.

"We said at about this level that, fundamentally, ⁠we will participate as a responsible member of the international community and that we will review ways to contribute in a phased manner," Ahn said.

He outlined possible forms of support, including political backing, personnel dispatches, information-sharing, and the provision of military assets. However, he emphasised that there had been no substantive talks about expanding troop deployments.

“There was ‌no deep discussion on something like specifically expanding our military’s participation,” he said, adding that any decisions would need to follow domestic legal procedures.

The meeting came a day after South Korea condemned an attack on a South Korean-flagged vessel near the Strait of Hormuz. The presidential office strongly denounced the incident but said investigations into responsibility were ongoing.

During the talks, Hegseth said Washington expects allies to "stand shoulder-to-shoulder" in response to growing global threats, pointing to US President Donald Trump’s authorization of Operation Epic Fury as evidence of US resolve.

He also praised Seoul’s plans to increase defense spending and take on greater responsibility for the Korean Peninsula’s security, describing it as a model of alliance burden-sharing.

Separately, Ahn said Hegseth expressed understanding regarding South Korea’s position on a conditions-based transfer of wartime operational control from the United States, with the goal of completing the transition at an early stage.

According to Yonhap, the two sides also discussed broader alliance issues, including plans to develop nuclear-powered submarines.

Ahn added that there were no discussions about reducing US troop levels in South Korea or altering the strategic flexibility of US forces stationed there.

By Tamilla Hasanova