South Korea’s Defense Ministry said it is comprehensively reviewing whether to participate in the U.S.-led Maritime Freedom Coalition (MFC), an international coalition operating in the Strait of Hormuz. The MFC is led by U.S. Central Command and aims to ensure the resumption of commercial shipping in the strait.
On May 2, the ministry said it is “considering international law and the safety of international sea lanes, the United States–South Korea alliance and security conditions on the Korean Peninsula, as well as domestic legal procedures,” adding that it will “carefully review our position regarding participation in the MFC.”
The ministry added that it is actively participating in international discussions on cooperation to ensure safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and is in close communication with relevant countries, including the United States.
As tensions from the United States–Iran conflict persist and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz continues, the U.S. State Department on April 28 sent official requests to embassies worldwide, urging participation in the MFC to ensure the smooth passage of oil tankers and other vessels.
Separately from the MFC, the United Kingdom and France are also preparing independent, defensive multinational forces to guarantee freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. To advance the plan, an international military conference was held in London, United Kingdom, on April 23, attended by military officials from 44 countries, including South Korea.