SOUTH KOREA PREPARES HORMUZ DEPLOYMENT AS TRUMP RAMPS UP PRESSURE
South Korea is preparing to send military assets to the Strait of Hormuz by the end of 2026.
The proposed package includes P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, a navy logistics support ship, and an Explosive Ordnance Disposal team. Around 150 troops would be required to operate the ship and aircraft.
This would mark South Korea’s first-ever deployment of maritime patrol aircraft to the region.
Seoul had previously insisted it would only deploy after the US-Iran war ended. That policy has now changed.
The government says no final decision has been made. A presidential official stressed that any contribution must not compromise South Korea’s defence readiness on the Korean Peninsula.
But the shift is driven by one factor. Trump.
Trump has publicly expressed dissatisfaction with South Korea’s unwillingness to help secure the strait. He directly connected Seoul’s refusal to his decision to scale back joint military drills. I was not happy when South Korea said, no, they’re not interested in helping us with the Hormuz Strait, Trump said.
Seoul is now moving. Trump is getting what he wants.
Iran has previously praised South Korea for rejecting US military action in the strait. A senior Iranian lawmaker called it a wise decision. That praise will not last if the deployment goes ahead.
South Korea is making a mistake, just to get Trump’s favour.
When will Seoul realise that pleasing Trump today only makes it a target tomorrow.