South Korea's Defense Ministry announced on Thursday (5) it will deploy maritime patrol aircraft and an explosive ordnance disposal team to waters near the Strait of Hormuz as part of a mission to help keep the strategic waterway open.

The government also confirmed it decided to expand the area of operations of its Cheonghae anti-piracy naval unit, which currently operates in waters south of Oman, near the strait. Seoul is to deploy a P-8A maritime patrol aircraft and add 75 personnel to the unit. A revised motion still has to be presented to the National Assembly and foresees South Korean support until December 31, 2027. The ministry said the expanded mission does not mean South Korea is entering the war between Iran and the United States.