Seoul weighs dropping logistics ship from Hormuz deployment amid Iran pressure

South Korea's military had prepared a logistics support ship, P-8A maritime patrol aircraft and an explosive ordnance disposal unit for a potential deployment to the Strait of Hormuz, but the government is now considering dropping the logistics vessel from the package.

The move reflects a combination of political concerns and questions over the ship's defensive capability and maintenance condition. The overall deployment size is also expected to shrink from the originally discussed figure of more than 150 personnel to around 50.

A senior Iranian official warned Saturday (local time) that South Korea should not yield to US pressure to cooperate in what he called "illegal US military operations," according to Iran's Fars News Agency and Lebanese outlet Al Mayadeen. The official, whose name was not disclosed, was described by the outlets as a senior figure handling security and political affairs.

"It must not be overlooked that the root cause of instability in the Strait of Hormuz is the aggressive actions of the United States and Israel," the official said. "If South Korea takes action against Iran in the Strait of Hormuz, we will regard it as South Korea's direct military participation in the war of aggression against Iran."

In response, the government is reviewing plans to exclude the logistics support ship from the deployment and reduce troop numbers. The adjustment takes into account stalled security negotiations with the United States, with officials weighing how to accommodate Washington's request while avoiding direct harm to Iran and limiting the exposure of military assets.

The P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft and the EOD unit are still expected to be deployed.

The Navy operates four logistics support ships in total. Three Cheonji-class vessels are more than 30 years old, and even the newer Soyang-class ship has been in service for a decade. All are more than 20 percent slower than destroyers and carry minimal armament, leaving them with limited defensive capability.

The Soyang-class ship in particular has recently developed problems with its engine and generator systems, raising concerns that a breakdown during operations in the Strait of Hormuz could prove extremely difficult to manage in a hostile environment.

With the logistics ship and its roughly 100-member crew removed from the plan, the deployment is expected to total about 50 personnel — comprising 20 to 30 patrol aircraft crew and maintenance staff, and 20 to 30 EOD specialists.

A deployment limited to patrol aircraft and an EOD unit would make joint operations with foreign forces unavoidable. The patrol aircraft would need to share detection data via data links common to Western militaries, while the EOD unit is expected to embark on foreign naval minesweepers for combined mine-clearing operations.

Any adjustment to the deployment composition would not change the required domestic procedures. An overseas deployment must go through deliberation and approval by the National Security Council at Cheong Wa Dae, a Cabinet vote, and National Assembly consent. A motion seeking Assembly approval could be submitted as early as this month.

Cheong Wa Dae has repeatedly said "nothing has been decided on related matters," but working-level preparations across relevant ministries have grown more concrete following a series of public calls for action by US President Donald Trump.