Politics · South Korea · 8 hrs ago
South Korea Says It Will Avoid Involvement in Iran Conflict
Iran has urged South Korea not to send forces to the region to support reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
South Korea says it is maintaining a policy of not taking part in the conflict.
The dispute concerns the Cheonghae Unit, a South Korean naval force whose mission area the government plans to expand from waters off Somalia to waters south of Oman, near the strait.
The plan also includes adding a maritime patrol aircraft, an explosives disposal team and mine-clearing equipment.
The government says the changes are intended to protect South Korean citizens and economic interests.
Iran says South Korea should avoid adding to an already complicated situation and warned against appearing to support military action alongside the United States and others.
Seoul says it is continuing talks with Iran and other countries as it proceeds with a proposal to extend the unit’s deployment and expand its mission area.
South Korea said it would maintain a principle of non-involvement in the war as it pursues an extension of the Cheonghae Unit’s deployment with an expanded mission.
The South Korean Foreign Ministry said the plan aims to protect its citizens and economic interests.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman urged South Korea not to send military forces to the region to support reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
South Korea said it was communicating continuously with Iran and other countries concerned.
The proposed expansion would extend the unit’s operational area to waters south of Oman and add military equipment.
- Who
- South Korea’s Foreign Ministry and Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei.
- What
- South Korea said it would maintain a principle of non-involvement while pursuing an extension of the Cheonghae Unit’s deployment and a wider mission. Iran urged South Korea to avoid sending military forces to the region.
- When
- The South Korean Foreign Ministry made its statement on November 10, 2026. Baghaei made his remarks on November 9 local time.
- Where
- The proposed expanded operational area includes waters south of Oman, near the Strait of Hormuz.
- Why
- South Korea said the plan aims to protect its citizens and economic interests. Iran said South Korea should avoid involvement in an already complex situation.
South Korea
Iran
Military involvement
South Korea
South Korea said it was proceeding with a plan to strengthen the Cheonghae Unit’s mission under a principle of non-involvement in the war.
Iran
Iran urged South Korea to refrain from sending military forces to the region to support reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Purpose and risks
South Korea
South Korea said the plan was intended to protect its citizens and economic interests.
Iran
Iran warned against involvement in the situation and said it hoped South Korea would not appear complicit in military aggression alongside the United States and others.
Baghaei posted in Korean that “there is a price to pay for dangerous choices” in response to discussion of a possible South Korean deployment to the Strait of Hormuz.
The South Korean government released a revised proposal to extend the Cheonghae Unit’s deployment and expand its operational area.
Baghaei urged South Korea to avoid sending military forces to the region and becoming involved in the situation.
South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said it was maintaining a principle of non-involvement in the war and communicating with Iran and other countries concerned.
- Proposed expanded area
- Waters south of Oman
- Existing operational area
- Gulf of Aden off Somalia
- Additional equipment
- Maritime patrol aircraft, an explosive ordnance disposal team and mine-clearing equipment
- South Korean statement
- November 10, 2026
- Iranian spokesman’s remarks
- November 9, 2026 local time
What people are saying
The government is proceeding with a bill to extend the Cheonghae Unit’s deployment and strengthen its mission under the principle of non-involvement and non-intervention in the war, with the aim of protecting our citizens and safeguarding economic interests.
South Korea should refrain from sending military forces to the region under the pretext of supporting the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
We hope it will not be seen as complicit in military aggression by aligning itself with the United States and others.