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Market Chatter: South Korea Sends Team to Assess Hormuz Strait; Troop Deployment Possible

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South Korea has sent a team to the Middle East to assess the security situation in the Strait of Hormuz, while it continues to explore making a military contribution, Yonhap News Agency reported Tuesday, citing the Ministry of National Defense.

The team, which reportedly departed for the UAE over the weekend, is expected to return as early as this week to report to the National Security Council. This comes six months after after US President Donald Trump urged South Korea and four other nations to send troops to help secure the shipping route.

South Korea is still assessing options regarding a military contribution, the news agency said. The defense ministry was reported to be reviewing a list of military assets for deployment, including a maritime patrol aircraft, sea mine detection and removal equipment, and bomb disposal experts.

The presidential office did not immediately respond to' request for comment.

(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

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