South Korea Expands Anti-Piracy Unit Near Hormuz Amid Rising Tensions

• •South Korea's Cheonghae Unit is expanding operations near the Strait of Hormuz.
• •Deployment includes new military assets like a P-8 aircraft and EOD team.
• •Critics warn this could entangle Korea in the U.S.-Iran conflict.

South Korea has decided to expand the operational scope of its Cheonghae Unit, moving closer to the Strait of Hormuz, to enhance anti-piracy efforts. The unit's personnel will increase from 320 to 395, and new assets, including a P-8 maritime patrol aircraft and an explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) team, will be deployed. This expansion is in response to rising piracy incidents, which increased from 11 in 2025 to 36 in 2026. Critics argue that this move could be perceived as a military contribution to the ongoing conflict between Iran and the U.S. Defense Minister Kang Shin-chul stated that the deployment is meant to prepare for potential threats that cannot be entirely ruled out, despite the ministry's assessment of low risks in the area. The plan is subject to parliamentary approval, with a motion to be submitted soon.