Two men swim near the Strait of Hormuz on the 7th (local time). /Courtesy of Yonhap News

The Ministry of National Defense said on the 8th that it dispatched a survey team to the region ahead of a decision on the United States' request to send troops to the Strait of Hormuz.

According to the Ministry of National Defense, the on-site survey team departed for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) over the weekend. The team is assessing the operational conditions for a deployed unit on the ground and is expected to return as early as this week.

An official at the Ministry of National Defense said, "We dispatched an on-site survey team to assess the situation in Hormuz," and added, "The on-site team is to understand the regional situation and safety conditions, and this survey is not premised on an actual troop deployment."

The official added, "Nothing has been decided regarding a deployment." The explanation was that the team was not sent for the purpose of a deployment to Hormuz.

Regarding reports that "the United States requested a deployment with a November deadline," the ministry said, "It is not true that the United States set a deadline and requested the dispatch of our asset to the Strait of Hormuz."

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