South Korea reviewing military options for Hormuz, no decision made

South Korea is reviewing options, including military measures, to support freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, the presidential office said on Friday, while denying media reports that the government had already decided on a deployment.



Several South Korean media outlets, including JTBC and MBC, reported late on Thursday that Seoul was preparing to deploy military assets before the end of the year and could seek parliamentary approval this month.



The reports said options under consideration included a maritime patrol aircraft, a logistics support vessel or a mine detection and clearance unit.



Seoul had also been discussing the scale and nature of a potential contribution with countries including the United States, Britain and France, they said.



A presidential official told reporters that South Korea had been discussing practical ways to contribute to freedom of navigation in the strait and confirmed that military measures were among the options under review.



"Nothing has been decided," the official said, adding that Seoul would also have to consider domestic legal procedures, military readiness on the Korean Peninsula and parliamentary approval.