Politics · South Korea · 3 hrs ago
South Korea backs wider anti-piracy mission while stressing non-involvement in Iran war
South Korea has repeated that it will not take part in the Iran war involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
Iran urged Seoul not to send troops to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key energy shipping route that is effectively blocked amid the war.
South Korea’s Cabinet approved a motion to expand the Cheonghae anti-piracy unit’s operating area toward the strait.
The motion would extend the area to waters south of Oman in the Arabian Sea and add a maritime patrol aircraft and an explosive ordnance disposal team.
Seoul says the mission is intended to protect its citizens and economic interests, and that it is communicating with Iran and other relevant countries.
The plan will now go to the National Assembly for parliamentary consent.
South Korea’s Cabinet approved a motion to widen the operating area of its anti-piracy Cheonghae unit.
The government said the mission would follow its principles of non-involvement and non-intervention in the Iran war.
The motion would extend operations to waters south of Oman in the Arabian Sea and add a maritime patrol aircraft and an explosive ordnance disposal team.
It will be sent to the National Assembly for parliamentary consent.
Iran had urged Seoul not to send troops to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
- Who
- South Korea’s government and its Cheonghae anti-piracy unit. Iran also urged Seoul to avoid involvement.
- What
- The Cabinet approved a motion to expand the unit’s operational area and capabilities. The government said it would maintain a policy of non-involvement in the Iran war.
- When
- The Cabinet approved the motion on Nov. 10, 2026. Iran made its appeal on Monday.
- Where
- The proposed area includes waters south of Oman in the Arabian Sea, closer to the Strait of Hormuz.
- Why
- The government said the mission was intended to protect South Korean citizens and economic interests.
Iran
South Korea
Involvement in the conflict
Iran
Iran urged South Korea to avoid getting involved in the war and not to send troops to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
South Korea
South Korea said it was proceeding with a wider anti-piracy mission under principles of non-involvement and non-intervention.
Iran’s foreign ministry urged South Korea to avoid getting involved in the war.
South Korea’s Cabinet approved a motion to expand the Cheonghae unit’s operational scope.
The motion is to be sent to the National Assembly for parliamentary consent.
- Proposed operating area
- Waters south of Oman in the Arabian Sea
- Added capabilities
- Maritime patrol aircraft and an explosive ordnance disposal team
- Parliamentary step
- Motion to be sent to the National Assembly for consent
- Unit
- Cheonghae anti-piracy unit
- Date of Cabinet approval
- Nov. 10, 2026
What people are saying
The (Seoul) government is proceeding with a motion to strengthen the mission of the Cheonghae unit under non-involvement, non-intervention principles for protecting our citizens and economic interests.
Regarding this, we have been communicating with Iran and other relevant countries.