Wi Sung-lac: "Deliberating over plans to expand and reinforce the Cheonghae Unit for Hormuz... Review not finalized yet" · "Will never participate or intervene in war"

South Korea · United States · Iran

The expansion and reinforcement of the Cheonghae Unit is under active consideration as a response measure for the Strait of Hormuz. Wi Sung-lac, Director of the National Security Office at the Blue House, said in his opening remarks during a press briefing at the Blue House on October 30, "Specifically, we are deliberating over options such as expanding and reinforcing the Cheonghae Unit, though our review has not yet been finalized." Prior to this remark, Director Wi said, "In close communication with the international community regarding the restoration of freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, our government continues to seek necessary roles and ways to contribute to protect our citizens and safeguard our economic interests." Director Wi stated, "Once specific measures are established, we will explain them transparently and clearly to the public and the National Assembly." At the same briefing, Director Wi addressed the DMZ landmine explosion incident, the wartime operational control (OPCON) transition, and Ukraine-related issues in turn, with the Strait of Hormuz being the second item on the agenda.

Director Wi Sung-lac Reiterated the Principles of 'Non-Involvement in War' and 'Minimum Necessary Activities'

Director Wi also outlined the principles guiding the review. On October 30, Director Wi said, "However, as the President has also stated, I would like to reiterate that we will maintain the principle of absolutely never engaging or intervening in a war under any circumstances, along with the stance of carrying out the minimum necessary activities and making international contributions to protect our commercial vessels, secure crude oil shipping routes, and safeguard the lives and safety of our citizens." The three operational objectives cited by Director Wi that day were protecting commercial vessels, securing crude oil shipping routes, and safeguarding the lives and safety of citizens.

Director Wi Sung-lac Cited the Dispatch of Military Assets by the UK, France, and Japan as a Benchmark

Director Wi then cited movements by other nations. On October 30, Director Wi said, "As you know, even before the current situation in the Strait of Hormuz arose, many nations—including not only us, but also the United Kingdom, France, and Japan—have dispatched major military assets, such as destroyers and patrol aircraft, to the Middle East and the Horn of Africa for ship escort and safe navigation support." Director Wi added, "Since the situation in the Strait of Hormuz occurred, major nations have shown movements to deploy additional naval vessels and aircraft. Taking these factors into account, our government is also seeking our necessary, minimum role." The full transcript of his opening remarks at the briefing was published on the government portal Policy Briefing (korea.kr) under the title "Opening Remarks by National Security Director Wi Sung-lac at Press Briefing on Pending Issues."

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Said in September That "Specific Contribution Measures Have Not Yet Been Decided"

The government's stance that contribution measures have not been finalized was also stated during a Ministry of Foreign Affairs briefing a month earlier. In a regular briefing on September 22, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to a question regarding the South Korea-U.S.-Japan foreign ministers' meeting: "As repeatedly explained, I reiterate the government's stance that we are in close consultations with the international community regarding ways to contribute to protecting our people, safeguarding economic interests, swiftly restoring freedom of navigation in Hormuz, and achieving peace and stability in the Middle East, but no specific contribution plan has been decided yet." When asked whether the phrase 'freedom of navigation and maritime security worldwide' in the joint statement of South Korea, the U.S., and Japan includes the Strait of Hormuz, the spokesperson answered, "Yes, that is a stance we have consistently maintained." The spokesperson added, "It is our understanding that the foreign ministers of the three countries share a consistent stance and consensus on freedom of navigation in international shipping lanes and the necessity of cooperation among related countries through this."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also conducted an operational review that same day. According to a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the afternoon of September 22, presided over by Cho Ju-sung, Director-General for Overseas Safety Planning, the Ministry held a joint situation review meeting between headquarters and 13 diplomatic missions in the Middle East, including the embassies in Iran, Oman, the UAE, and Qatar, to review safety measures for South Korean nationals staying locally as well as South Korean vessels and crews in the Strait of Hormuz. Director-General Cho urged each diplomatic mission to preemptively take necessary measures suited to local conditions to secure the safety of South Korean nationals.

The Cheonghae Unit Has Operated with Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) Combined Task Force 151 in the Gulf of Aden

The Cheonghae Unit is already deployed in the waters of the Gulf of Aden. The operational history of this unit is documented in U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) records. In an article published on the CENTCOM website on May 21, 2023, the Public Affairs Office of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), headquartered in Manama, Bahrain, announced that the Republic of Korea Navy destroyer ROKS Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin (DDH 975) conducted a bilateral exercise with the Italian Navy frigate ITS Luigi Rizzo (F 595) in the Gulf of Aden on May 17. According to the article, the two ships practiced ship and helicopter maneuvers and shared visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) procedures. At the time, ROKS Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin was supporting Combined Task Force 151 (CTF 151), one of four task forces under the CMF dedicated to counter-piracy, which was then commanded by Rear Admiral (lower half) Ko Seung-bum of the Republic of Korea Navy.

At the time, the commanding officer, Captain Yoon Sung-won, said, "South Korean and Italian ships cooperated from planning to execution, making it a very successful engagement," adding, "It demonstrated the ability to respond swiftly in any situation and impeccable teamwork." Rear Admiral Ko said, "Our warships have joined forces once again. We will strengthen combined operational capabilities through continuous training." According to the CMF, CTF 151 was established in 2009 to conduct maritime security operations to deter piracy and armed robbery at sea off the Horn of Africa, and its headquarters is co-located with U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and U.S. 5th Fleet in Bahrain.

President Trump Cited South Korea in March as a Strait of Hormuz-Dependent Nation and Requested Assistance

President Trump requested contributions in March from nations dependent on the strait. In remarks at a Board of Trustees Meeting of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on March 16, published in the Compilation of Presidential Documents (DCPD), an official publication of the U.S. government, President Trump said, "We strongly urge other nations that rely on the strait far more than we do for their economies." President Trump said, "We get less than 1 percent of our oil from the strait, but some countries get much more. Japan gets 95 percent, China gets 90 percent. Many European countries get a substantial amount. South Korea gets 35 percent," adding, "So we want them to come and help with the strait." At the same event, President Trump remarked, "Many countries have told me they're on their way. Some are very enthusiastic, and some are not," noting, "The level of enthusiasm matters to me." President Trump also stated that all 30 Iranian minelaying vessels had been sunk.

U.S. Central Command Announced That All Mines Were Cleared from Primary Hormuz Transit Routes

U.S. Central Command announced its record of supporting strait transits. CENTCOM announced on October 25 that its commander, Admiral Brad Cooper of the U.S. Navy, visited the Strait of Hormuz. According to CENTCOM, the U.S. military has supported Gulf allies in exporting over 1.5 billion barrels of oil since the summer, and over 3,000 commercial vessels have transited the strait under CENTCOM support over the past six months. Admiral Cooper said, "We stand shoulder to shoulder with our Gulf allies and the shipping industry," adding, "This visit demonstrates our steadfast commitment to defending freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz." Admiral Cooper said, "Today, the primary transit routes in the Strait of Hormuz are clear of Iranian mines," and added, "We remain laser-focused on working alongside U.S. government agencies, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and the maritime shipping industry to keep commercial traffic moving." CENTCOM added that despite attacks by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in recent months, more than 95% of vessels transiting the strait navigated safely. CENTCOM's official X account posted the article at 12:41 p.m. EDT on October 25 (1:41 a.m. KST on October 26).

Three days later, CENTCOM refuted Iranian claims. CENTCOM's X account posted at 3:19 p.m. EDT on October 28 (4:19 a.m. KST on October 29): "Over recent days and weeks, Iranian-controlled media have reported Iranian claims that commercial vessels are hitting sea mines while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. These claims are FALSE." CENTCOM wrote, "All internationally recognized primary transit routes through the Strait of Hormuz have been cleared of mines by U.S. forces and remain so," adding, "Thousands of commercial vessels have safely used these transit routes and continue to do so today."

U.S. Central Command Announced It Is Strictly Enforcing the Blockade of Iranian Ports

CENTCOM also disclosed the enforcement record of the naval blockade on Iranian ports. In an October 5 press release, CENTCOM announced that U.S. forces turned back the 130th commercial vessel that day during maritime blockade enforcement against Iran. According to the press release, CENTCOM resumed the blockade on vessels attempting to enter or depart Iranian ports on July 14 under orders from the commander-in-chief, and had disabled three vessels that failed to comply with instructions. CENTCOM stated that over the past 12 weeks, it had destroyed 13 commercial vessels that violated the blockade or belonged to the IRGC's multi-billion-dollar shadow fleet. Admiral Cooper said on October 5, "U.S. forces are laser-focused on this mission," adding, "We will swiftly respond to any vessel attempting to run the blockade. Our service members are highly trained, professional, and lethal."

Five days later, CENTCOM announced an actual enforcement operation. In an October 10 press release, CENTCOM announced that U.S. forces disabled a commercial vessel that attempted to breach the blockade after repeatedly ignoring warnings in the Gulf of Oman earlier that day. According to the press release, a U.S. military fighter aircraft struck the stern of the Panama-flagged cargo vessel Ocean Mollica (the 'Arica Sun') with a precision-guided munition, completely immobilizing its propulsion system with no casualties among the crew. The cargo vessel was attempting to transit regional waters after departing an Iranian port. CENTCOM stated that through three months of strict enforcement, it had disabled four commercial vessels, turned back 135 vessels, and destroyed 10 tankers associated with the IRGC shadow fleet during the same period. CENTCOM advised all mariners transiting the Gulf of Oman and approaches to the Strait of Hormuz to heed CENTCOM blockade warnings, monitor ongoing navigation warning broadcasts, and contact the U.S. Navy on bridge-to-bridge Channel 16.

The White House Announced That More Oil Is Transiting the Strait Than Prior to the Conflict

The White House also announced oil transit volumes through the strait. The official White House X account posted at 12:02 p.m. EDT on October 22 (1:02 a.m. KST on October 23), "More oil is coming through the Hormuz Strait than it did prior to the conflict." The White House wrote, "All while the evil Iranian regime makes up fake hits and kills tens of thousands of protestors. They must never be allowed to have a nuclear weapon."

Maritime Threat Warnings and Blockade Enforcement Advisories Continued in October

Threat warnings for the strait continued in October. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) issued Warning 168-26 on October 11 stating that a petroleum product tanker was struck by an unidentified projectile while exiting the Strait of Hormuz, and Warning 172-26 at 4:40 p.m. UTC on October 13 (1:40 a.m. KST on October 14) reporting that a 50,000-ton container ship was hit by a projectile while entering the strait. According to Warning 172-26, the container ship suffered only minor damage and proceeded on its voyage with no casualties. CENTCOM posted on its X account on October 15 that the Singapore-flagged container ship GFS Pride was hit not by a mine, but by an IRGC projectile, and subsequently sank while being towed to shore. In the same post, CENTCOM noted that despite attacks, commercial transits continued, with over 40 vessels transiting the strait in the preceding 24 hours, and that primary transit lanes remained free of mines.

The Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC), operated in conjunction with UKMTO, assessed the regional threat level for the Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Oman, and Arabian Sea as "SEVERE" in Advisory Note 016-26 on October 28. A U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) notice included in the advisory stated, "In response to continued attacks and unlawful attempts by Iran to control the Strait of Hormuz in violation of international law, the United States is enforcing a blockade of all Iranian ports and coasts," adding, "This blockade applies to all vessels regardless of nationality or ownership." The notice stated that neutral vessels transiting between neutral ports in the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz may also be subject to questioning and boarding inspections to ascertain intentions regarding the blockade, and advised vessels with no need to transit these waters to remain well clear. According to the notice, vessels must maintain a continuous listening watch on VHF Channel 16, comply with all instructions from U.S. forces, and be prepared to alter course or stop if instructed. Vessels must possess signed and stamped PDF documentation including outbound port clearance and customs certification from their last port of call, bills of lading, ship registry certificates, and signed and stamped appointment letters for next port agents. The notice recommended allowing ample transit time to account for increased traffic and blockade enforcement operations.

Sources (KST)

• Republic of Korea Policy Briefing, "Opening Remarks by National Security Director Wi Sung-lac at Press Briefing on Pending Issues" (October 30, 2026): https://www.korea.kr/briefing/presidentView.do?newsId=148974635
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs, "Spokesperson Regular Briefing (Sept. 22)" (September 22, 2026): https://www.mofa.go.kr/www/brd/m_4078/view.do?seq=368872
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press Release, "Ministry of Foreign Affairs Inspects Overseas Citizen Safety Measures Following Re-escalation of Middle East Crisis" (September 22, 2026): https://www.mofa.go.kr/www/brd/m_4080/view.do?seq=377603
• U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), "Ships Supporting Two Multinational Anti-Piracy Task Forces Train Together in Gulf of Aden" (May 21, 2023): https://www.centcom.mil/MEDIA/NEWS-ARTICLES/News-Article-View/Article/3404558/ships-supporting-two-multinational-anti-piracy-task-forces-train-together-in-gu/
• U.S. Government Compilation of Presidential Documents (DCPD), "Remarks at a Board of Trustees Meeting of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts" (March 16, 2026): https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/DCPD-202600178/pdf/DCPD-202600178.pdf
• U.S. Central Command, "CENTCOM Commander Visits Strait of Hormuz during Milestone Week" (October 25, 2026): https://www.centcom.mil/MEDIA/PUBLIC-RELEASES/Article/4633061/centcom-commander-visits-strait-of-hormuz-during-milestone-week/
• U.S. Central Command X (October 25, 2026): https://x.com/CENTCOM/status/2114396985977426077
• U.S. Central Command X (October 28, 2026): https://x.com/CENTCOM/status/2115523900071116849
• U.S. Central Command, "CENTCOM Maintains Strict Enforcement of U.S. Blockade Against Iran" (October 5, 2026): https://www.centcom.mil/MEDIA/PUBLIC-RELEASES/Article/4619553/centcom-maintains-strict-enforcement-of-us-blockade-against-iran/
• U.S. Central Command, "U.S. Forces Disable Cargo Vessel Attempting to Violate Blockade" (October 10, 2026): https://www.centcom.mil/MEDIA/PUBLIC-RELEASES/Article/4623817/us-forces-disable-cargo-vessel-attempting-to-violate-blockade/
• The White House X (October 22, 2026): https://x.com/WhiteHouse/status/2113299851265851481
• U.S. Central Command X (October 15, 2026): https://x.com/CENTCOM/status/2110780675238289548
• UKMTO, "WARNING 168-26 - ATTACK" (October 12, 2026): https://www.ukmto.org/-/media/ukmto/products/20261012-ukmto_warning_168-26.pdf
• UKMTO, "WARNING 172-26 - ATTACK" (October 14, 2026): https://www.ukmto.org/-/media/ukmto/products/20261014-ukmto_warning_172-26.pdf
• JMIC, "Advisory Note 016-26: Blockade Enforcement" (October 28, 2026): https://www.ukmto.org/-/media/ukmto/products/jmic-advisory-note-01626-blockade-enforcement.pdf
• U.S. Department of Defense DVIDS, Photo 7808312 (Taken May 17, 2023, Provided by Combined Maritime Forces): https://www.dvidshub.net/image/7808312