Busan: A 4,400-ton South Korean destroyer departed from a naval base in the southeastern city of Busan on Friday for rotational deployment in an overseas mission based off the Somali coast, the Navy said.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the ROKS Wang Geon destroyer left Busan, located approximately 330 kilometers southeast of Seoul, to join the Cheonghae unit. This unit is currently engaged in an anti-piracy mission in the Gulf of Aden near Somalia. The possibility of expanding the unit's operational reach to the Strait of Hormuz is under consideration, contingent on government approval and the National Assembly's decision.
The recent deployment marks the ninth overseas mission for the ROKS Wang Geon and the 48th vessel deployment to the Cheonghae unit. The contingent includes around 260 troops, comprising crew members, a naval special warfare flotilla boarding team, and an aviation unit operating Lynx helicopters. Their mission is set for a six-month duration in the Gulf.
The Cheonghae unit's primary responsibilities involve escorting South Korean vessels in the Gulf of Aden, supporting international maritime safety efforts, and responding to potential terror threats. In case of contingencies, the unit will participate in maritime security operations led by the Combined Maritime Forces and the EU Naval Force Somalia.
The South Korean mission has conducted air defense drills and enhanced counter-drone systems to address potential threats. The deployment of the ROKS Wang Geon comes amid speculation regarding the Cheonghae unit's potential involvement in multinational efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, including the U.S.-led Maritime Freedom Construct.
U.S. President Donald Trump has urged allies such as South Korea to support initiatives aimed at maintaining the vital oil shipping route, which was effectively closed in late February following U.S.-Israeli strikes against Iran. In recent discussions at the Pentagon, South Korea's Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back conveyed to U.S. counterpart Pete Hegseth that Seoul is considering "phased" contributions to aid in the restoration of safe passage through the waterway. Ahn mentioned support measures such as personnel dispatch, information sharing, and providing military assets.