S. Korean team for Strait of Hormuz assessment returns from UAE

This will let Google show Yonhap news articles that match or are related to your search

SEOUL, Sept. 10 (Yonhap) -- A South Korean government team tasked with assessing the security situation near the Strait of Hormuz returned from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Thursday as Seoul cautiously weighs a potential military deployment amid U.S. pressure.

The team, consisting of defense and foreign ministry officials, had left for the UAE on the weekend to conduct an on-site assessment of the overall security and operational situations near the strait, including checking key military bases and ports, as well as logistical and other conditions.

They arrived at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, on Thursday, according to officials with knowledge of the matter.

The mission to Abu Dhabi was carried out very discreetly as Seoul is carefully deliberating its potential role in helping secure a free and safe passage through the crucial shipping lane amid the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict.

The team's dispatch has widely been interpreted as Seoul leaning toward a military deployment to join U.S.-led operations in the region, triggering immediate backlash from Tehran.

The deployment issue has posed a diplomatic challenge for Seoul, as U.S. President Donald Trump's administration presses its key ally to commit forces and military assets to assist with U.S. operations in the region.

Vessels transit the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Iran's southern port city of Bandar Abbas on Sept. 7, 2026, in this AFP photo. (Yonhap)

In a social media posting on Aug. 16, Trump said when he had recently asked President Lee Jae Myung whether Seoul would like to join U.S. efforts to "denuclearize" Iran, he was told, "No thanks." Trump said he would remember Lee's response.

Local news reports have speculated on the potential list of military assets for deployment, including the P-8A maritime patrol aircraft, a logistics support ship and explosive ordnance disposal teams -- mainly non-combat assets.

However, the naval logistics support vessel has reportedly been ruled out as its operation would require dispatching more than 100 sailors.

The assessment team likely visited the Al Dhafra Air Base in Abu Dhabi, home to a primary U.S. military installation in the UAE, to check operational conditions for the potential P-8A deployment.

Sending an assessment team to a candidate deployment site is part of the required procedures under the defense ministry's directives on overseas military deployment. Upon return, the team is obliged to report the result of the mission to the National Security Council.

The defense ministry, however, has stressed that the team's dispatch does not mean the deployment will follow, saying that its purpose was strictly to assess the security environment and safety conditions near the strait.

Speaking on MBC Radio on Thursday, Seong Ghi-hong, senior presidential secretary for public relations, reiterated that no final decision has been made about the deployment.

"If deployment was not an option, we could have technological assistance," Seong said. "While we can consider combat or noncombat forces in the form of deployment, we could also wisely explore alternatives for contribution."

Seoul appears to be taking a more prudent approach even as Washington is heaping pressure with its calls for military deployment amid growing negative sentiment even within the government and the ruling party.

It remains to be seen how Seoul will navigate its Hormuz dilemma in upcoming talks with Washington.

South Korea and the U.S. are expected to hold their key defense dialogue in Busan next week, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Although the Hormuz contribution is not on the official agenda for the Korea-U.S. Integrated Defense Dialogue (KIDD), Washington could bring up the issue during the meeting.

elly@yna.co.kr (END)

Presidential office says no final decision on Hormuz Strait deployment

U.S. official says Strait of Hormuz 'completely open, controlled by U.S.' amid Seoul weighing deployment

(News Focus) S. Korea faces high-stakes decision on potential Hormuz Strait deployment

(2nd LD) S. Korea sends officials to assess situation in Hormuz Strait

BTS concludes N. American tour with record-breaking LA shows

BTS' Jungkook hits 500 mln Spotify streams with self-written 'Still With You'

(LEAD) Philippine defense chief slams China over audience note on South China Sea at Seoul forum

N. Korea drops unification goal, cements Kim as sole leader in revised party charter

BLACKPINK's Lisa and Jisoo release solo singles on same day

'The Odyssey' tops weekend box office for 5th week

Samsung Electronics union leaders under probe over 'union blacklist'

Son Ye-jin returns to historical drama in remake of 'The Scandal'

Badminton star An Se-young determined to enjoy herself in Asian Games title defense

Top S. Korean, U.S. commanders reaffirm border deterrence amid N. Korea's increased MDL crossings

N. Korea marks 78th anniv. of national founding day

S. Korean team for Strait of Hormuz assessment returns from UAE

这将使谷歌能够向您展示与您的搜索匹配或相关的韩联社新闻文章

首尔，9月10日（韩联社）——韩国政府一个负责评估霍尔木兹海峡附近安全形势的小组周四从阿拉伯联合酋长国（阿联酋）返回，与此同时，在美方压力下，首尔正在谨慎权衡潜在的军事部署。

该小组由国防部和外交部官员组成，于周末前往阿联酋，对海峡附近的整体安全和行动情况进行实地评估，包括检查重要的军事基地和港口，以及后勤和其他条件。

据知情人士透露，他们于周四抵达首尔以西的仁川国际机场。

此次前往阿布扎比的任务执行得非常谨慎，因为在美伊冲突持续之际，首尔正在仔细考虑其在帮助确保这条关键航道的自由和安全通行方面可能发挥的作用。

该团队的派遣被广泛解读为首尔倾向于向美国领导的地区军事部署，以参与该地区的军事行动，立即引发了德黑兰的强烈反对。

部署问题给首尔带来了外交挑战，因为美国总统唐纳德·特朗普的政府正在向其主要盟友施压，要求其投入部队和军事资产，以协助美国在该地区的行动。

2026年9月7日，船只通过伊朗南部港口城市阿巴斯港附近的霍尔木兹海峡。（法新社/韩联社）

8月16日，特朗普在社交媒体上发文称，他最近询问韩国总统李在明，首尔是否愿意加入美国为伊朗“无核化”所做的努力，得到的答复是“不，谢谢”。特朗普表示，他会记住李在明的回答。

当地新闻报道猜测，可能部署的军事资产清单包括 P-8A 海上巡逻机、后勤支援舰和爆炸物处理小组——主要是非战斗资产。

然而，据报道，海军后勤支援舰已被排除在外，因为其操作需要派遣 100 多名水兵。

评估小组可能访问了位于阿布扎比的达夫拉空军基地，该基地是美国在阿联酋的主要军事设施所在地，目的是检查 P-8A 潜在部署的运行条件。

根据国防部关于海外军事部署的指示，向候选部署地点派遣评估小组是必要程序的一部分。评估小组返回后，有义务向国家安全委员会报告任务结果。

然而，国防部强调，派遣该小组并不意味着将会进行部署，称其目的严格来说是为了评估海峡附近的安全环境和安全状况。

周四，总统府公共关系高级秘书成基洪在MBC广播电台发表讲话时重申，尚未就部署事宜做出最终决定。

“如果部署不可行，我们可以提供技术援助，”Seong说道。“虽然我们可以考虑以部署形式提供作战或非作战部队，但我们也可以明智地探索其他贡献方式。”

尽管华盛顿不断施压要求部署军队，而政府和执政党内部的负面情绪也在日益增长，但首尔似乎采取了更为谨慎的做法。

首尔将如何在即将与华盛顿的会谈中应对霍尔木兹海峡困境，仍有待观察。

据知情人士透露，韩国和美国预计将于下周在釜山举行重要的防务对话。

尽管霍尔木兹海峡的贡献并未列入韩美联合防务对话（KIDD）的正式议程，但华盛顿方面可能会在会晤期间提出该问题。

elly@yna.co.kr（完）

总统办公室表示，尚未就霍尔木兹海峡部署做出最终决定。

美国官员称霍尔木兹海峡“完全开放，由美国控制”，与此同时，首尔正在考虑部署美军。

（新闻焦点）韩国面临是否在霍尔木兹海峡部署武器的高风险决定。

（第二项议程）韩国派遣官员评估霍尔木兹海峡局势

BTS北美巡演圆满落幕，洛杉矶站演出打破多项纪录。

BTS成员柾国凭借自作曲《Still With You》在Spotify上的播放量突破5亿次。

（导语）菲律宾国防部长抨击中国在首尔论坛上就南海问题发表的发言。

朝鲜放弃统一目标，修订党章巩固金正恩的唯一领导人地位

BLACKPINK 的 Lisa 和 Jisoo 同一天发行个人单曲

《奥德赛》连续第五周蝉联周末票房冠军

三星电子工会领导人因“工会黑名单”接受调查

孙艺珍回归古装剧​​，翻拍《绯闻》

羽毛球明星安世荣决心在亚运会卫冕战中尽情享受比赛。

韩美高级指挥官重申边境威慑，应对朝鲜增加越境行为。

朝鲜庆祝建国78周年

韩国霍尔木兹海峡评估小组从阿联酋返回