S.Korea To Be First To Answer US’ Anti-Iran Coalition Call

South Korea is likely to send its naval destroyer to join United States-led anti-Iran coalition forces in the Strait of Hormuz in August to guard oil tankers sailing through the sea passage, South Korean media have reported.

“It is obvious that we have to protect our ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, isn’t it? So we’re considering various possibilities,” deputy ministry spokesman Ro Jae-cheon said on Monday.

Seoul is the first country to answer US’ call and join the international coalition against Tehran. The other countries US invited were Australia, France, Germany, Japan, Norway, and the United Kingdom.

“South Korea has also decided to send the anti-piracy Cheonghae unit operating in waters off Somalia, possibly along with helicopters,” a senior government official was quoted as saying by Maekyung business newspaper.

The unit operates a 4,500-ton destroyer, a Lynx anti-submarine helicopter and three speed boats, according to South Korea’s 2018 defense white paper.