S. Korea to expand anti-piracy unit's mission area closer to Hormuz, deploy more naval assets

SEOUL, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- South Korea planned to expand the mission area of its anti-piracy Cheonghae Unit in the Gulf of Aden to the waters south of Oman, closer to the Strait of Hormuz, while deploying more naval assets such as a maritime patrol aircraft and an explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) team, according to Yonhap news agency Thursday.

The deployment of the EOD team and unmanned mine-countermeasure equipment was also aimed at preparing for South Korea's potential participation in future international mine-clearing operations in the Strait of Hormuz, which could begin after the conclusion of conflicts in the area, Yonhap said.

The South Korean Defense Ministry confirmed the report, which said that the ministry planned to submit a revised deployment extension motion to the National Assembly, detailing the expanded mission area and additional military assets.

The motion passed a vice-ministerial meeting earlier in the day and will be sent to the parliament for approval after next week's cabinet meeting and presidential endorsement.

The Cheonghae Unit, first deployed to the Gulf of Aden in 2009 with the mission of anti-piracy operations and vessel escort, currently operates a 4,400-ton destroyer equipped with one maritime operation helicopter and up to three rigid-hull inflatable boats, manned by a crew of up to 320 personnel.

Under the revised plan, the South Korean military will additionally deploy an advanced P-8A maritime patrol aircraft and unmanned mine-countermeasure assets, including unmanned underwater vehicles, unmanned surface vehicles and remotely operated vehicles, as well as an EOD team to operate them.