According to a report by the Times of Israel on Friday September 4, 2026, South Korea is weighing possible military measures to help maintain freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a senior presidential official said on Friday.

The review comes as tensions surrounding the strategically important waterway continue to disrupt international shipping and raise concerns over the movement of energy supplies.

According to the Blue House official, Seoul is examining practical ways it could contribute to keeping the route open. The comments also rejected claims that South Korea had offered no assistance over the situation, describing such assertions as inaccurate.

The Strait of Hormuz remains a crucial passage for global energy shipments, making any prolonged disruption a concern for countries that depend heavily on imported oil and other fuel supplies.

South Korea’s potential involvement could therefore represent a significant step, particularly if the situation develops into a broader international effort to protect commercial shipping.

Meanwhile, security discussions between Seoul and Washington are currently not moving forward, the official said. The two allies continue to have several issues on the table, with semiconductor policy among the subjects being discussed.

The possible Hormuz mission and the stalled security talks come as South Korea balances its alliance with the United States against its wider economic and strategic interests.

At the moment, however, Seoul has not announced a final decision on whether to deploy military assets or personnel to the region. The government appears to be assessing its options while monitoring developments around the waterway.

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