Dispatch of Cheonghae Unit... Future Prospects

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy military specialist reporters Yang Nak-gyu and Lim Cheol-young] The Korean-flagged oil tanker 'MT-Hankook Chemi,' carrying five Korean crew members, was seized by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. Following this incident, the Cheonghae Unit's Choi Young ship (4,400 tons) dispatched by the government arrived near the Strait of Hormuz early on the 5th (Korean time) and began its mission. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also summoned the Iranian Embassy in Korea to the office on the same day to convey the Korean government's request and plans to assess the local situation.

On this day, a government official stated, "The 33rd Cheonghae Unit's Choi Young ship was dispatched immediately to the waters near the Strait of Hormuz upon receiving the report of the seizure," adding, "It arrived in the waters near the Strait of Hormuz early on the 5th."

The government’s position is that resolving the issue through diplomatic negotiations with Iran is a priority. Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha said in a press briefing at the office that morning, "We took the first response on the 4th and are working to understand and resolve the situation through the Iranian diplomatic mission in Korea and the Korean embassy in Iran," adding, "We are making diplomatic efforts to ensure the release happens quickly." All 20 crew members, including the five Koreans, are reported to be safe. The MT-Hankook Chemi carries five Korean crew members?the captain, first to third officers, and chief engineer?as well as 11 Myanmar nationals, two Indonesians, and two Vietnamese.

Iran’s seizure of the vessel is interpreted as dissatisfaction over South Korea’s inability to use the won payments received from exporting crude oil to Iran. After the U.S. withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA ? Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) in May 2018, it reinstated sanctions on Iran, and South Korea, as a U.S. ally, has been enforcing these sanctions.

The concern is that incidents like this oil tanker seizure may continue to occur. Since early May 2019, the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding areas have seen a series of adverse events, starting with the U.S. military’s deployment of an aircraft carrier strike group and bomber squadrons, followed by attacks on four oil tankers (May 12), attacks on two oil tankers (June 12), the downing of a U.S. military drone (June 20), and Iran’s seizure of an oil tanker (July 14). Analysts note that the situation has become as tense as the mid-1980s Iran-Iraq War period, known as the 'Tanker War,' when oil tankers in the Gulf were targeted.

If Iran blocks the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. may mobilize allies to form a 'Hormuz Security Coalition.'

A government official said, "The Cheonghae Unit is conducting a solo mission independent of the U.S.-led International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC), but diplomatic negotiations take precedence over rescue operations."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.