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Seoul considers back US efforts in Hormuz

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This combination of image grabs created from a video broadcast by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on July 19, reportedly shows footage obtained from an IRGC drone flying above an assault ship, a destroyer, an oil tanker, and a merchant vessel in undisclosed locations. IRGC-Yonhap
This combination of image grabs created from a video broadcast by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on July 19, reportedly shows footage obtained from an IRGC drone flying above an assault ship, a destroyer, an oil tanker, and a merchant vessel in undisclosed locations. IRGC-Yonhap

By Kim Yoo-chul

South Korea is considering supporting Washington's initiative to form a multinational coalition to safeguard commercial shipping in the Middle East, near the Strait of Hormuz.

"A wide range of options are available given the possible impact on South Korea. We are closely monitoring the situation, and are open to a lot of possibilities going forward," Ministry of National Defense deputy spokesman Col. Roh Jae-cheon told reporters in a regular briefing Monday.

The United States has yet to make an official request about South Korea dispatching naval ships and possible even planes to increase maritime surveillance of the strait, the ministry official said. He added it was possible the U.S. would ask for this or for Seoul to make a financial contribution to support the initiative.

U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton plans to visit the ministry in Yongsan, Seoul, July 24 for a meeting with Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo. "The main issues to be discussed include how to strengthen our military alliance and the joint roles in achieving complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," Roh said.

The U.S.' Maritime Security Initiative, follows increased threats in and around the Strait of Hormuz after recent attacks on oil tankers there. Washington has blamed Iran for the incidents. Seoul may be reluctant to get involved in the initiative as it imports oil from Iran and South Korean companies are seeking to win construction projects in the country's energy sector. Iran was South Korea's third-largest source of oil in 2017 alongside Iraq.

Roh said Defense Minister Jeong will also convey South Korea's position regarding the General Security Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) with Japan, which the government is planning to review, and possibly discard unless substantial progress is made in the Seoul-Tokyo trade row.

"One thing that currently hasn't changed is the GSOMIA. However, we will review it based on developments in both South Korea and Japan," he told reporters.

The agreement, signed in 2016, concerns the sharing of military intelligence to counter evolving nuclear and missile threats from North Korea. It is automatically renewed annually unless one party notifies the other of its intention to terminate the agreement 90 days ahead of renewal. It has been extended twice so far, and the deadline for objections to its automatic extension for another year is Aug. 24.

U.S. President Donald Trump recently said he would assist in the trade row between Seoul and Tokyo if asked by both sides.




Kim Yoo-chul yckim@koreatimes.co.kr


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