South Korea Expands Anti-Piracy Patrols Closer to Strait of Hormuz

South Korea has announced plans to extend the operations of its anti-piracy unit, the Cheonghae unit, to waters closer to the Strait of Hormuz, marking a significant shift in its maritime security strategy. This move comes as the country seeks to safeguard its substantial oil imports from the Middle East, which accounted for 70% of its supply in 2025 ¹³.

The new operational area for the Cheonghae unit will encompass waters near the port of Duqm in Oman, located approximately 650 kilometers from the Strait of Hormuz ¹²³. This expansion represents a notable geographical extension from the unit’s previous base in the Gulf of Aden, where it has been stationed since 2009 ¹²³.

Despite this strategic relocation, the Cheonghae unit will continue to operate independently of allied forces and maintain a non-combat role ¹². It is reported that the unit will not target or monitor Iranian territory, the interior of the Strait of Hormuz, or its surrounding waters ²³. This decision underscores South Korea's focus on protecting its commercial interests rather than engaging in broader regional military activities.

The current deployment of the Cheonghae unit in the Middle East is set to expire at the end of 2026, though there is some uncertainty regarding this timeline, with conflicting reports suggesting potential adjustments ^{12 3}. Additionally, the unit is expected to bolster its capabilities with the addition of 75 personnel and a P-8A maritime patrol aircraft, although these figures have also faced some dispute ¹²³.

The composition of the Cheonghae unit itself has been subject to debate, with one source indicating it comprises a 4,400-ton-class destroyer, a maritime operations helicopter, up to three rigid-hull inflatable boats, and around 300 service members ¹, while other sources provide different details ²³.

In the context of regional maritime security, the number of piracy incidents off Somalia's coast has seen a notable increase, with 36 incidents recorded so far in 2026, compared to just 11 in all of 2025 ³, although this figure is contested ¹².

What We Know

• South Korea plans to expand the Cheonghae unit's operations closer to the Strait of Hormuz ¹²³
• The new area includes waters near the port of Duqm in Oman, approximately 650km from the Strait of Hormuz ¹²³
• The Cheonghae unit has been stationed in the Gulf of Aden since 2009 ¹²³
• The unit will operate independently and non-combat in nature ¹²
• South Korea imported 70% of its oil from the Middle East in 2025, mostly via the Strait of Hormuz ¹³
• The Cheonghae unit will not target or monitor Iranian territory or waters ²³

What Remains Unclear

• The exact number of personnel and equipment additions to the Cheonghae unit ¹²³
• The specific composition of the Cheonghae unit, including the type and number of vessels and personnel ¹²³
• The precise timeline for the current deployment expiration and any potential extensions ¹²³
• The accuracy of the reported increase in piracy incidents off Somalia's coast in 2026 ¹²³