President Donald Trump stated on Monday that it is time for South Korea to participate in the Hormuz Strait situation. 

Trump wrote on Truth Social that day, "Iran attacked several countries, including a South Korean cargo ship, in connection with the movement of ships in 'PROJECT FREEDOM'," adding, "It seems like it is time for South Korea to join this mission!" 

He stated, "We shot down seven small boats, or 'speedboats' as they often call them," and added, "That's all they have left. Apart from the South Korean vessel, no other ships have been damaged so far while transiting the strait. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Kain are scheduled to hold a press conference tomorrow morning."

It is noteworthy that President Trump specifically urged South Korea to "participate," highlighting that South Korea is the sole victim and that the U.S. military shot down seven Iranian speedboats.

Earlier on the 4th (local time), an explosion and fire occurred on the bulk carrier 'Namu' owned by the South Korean shipping company HMM, which was anchored in the Strait of Hormuz. 

At the time of the incident, there were a total of 24 people on board, including six South Korean and 18 foreign crew members. However, the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Presidential Office stated that there were no casualties and all personnel were safe. 

The ship was en route from Dammam Port in Saudi Arabia to Shanghai, China. South Korean authorities stated that they are investigating the facts, leaving open both the possibility of an external attack and an internal explosion on the ship. 

If President Trump's statement is accurate, it is certain that the Namu was attacked by Iran.

Some in the shipping industry suggested the possibility of external factors such as a mine explosion, citing the explosion sound and water spray from the port side of the engine room. However, South Korean military authorities have maintained a cautious stance, according to South Korean media reports.

Following President Trump's request, the dispatch of the Cheonghae Unit is expected to be reviewed again. The 44th contingent, the destroyer ROKS Dae Joyoung, is currently deployed in the Gulf of Aden near Somalia, carrying out its mission.

In January 2020, the Cheonghae Unit expanded its operational area by approximately 3.5 times, from the Gulf of Aden to the Strait of Hormuz, the Gulf of Oman, and the Arabian Sea (Persian Gulf).

Furthermore, in January 2021, when the 'Hankuk Chemical', a South Korean chemical tanker, was seized by Iran's Revolutionary Guard, the Cheonghae Unit (destroyer ROKS Choi Yeong) was immediately dispatched to the vicinity of the Strait of Hormuz to carry out its mission.

In March, the Trump administration requested the dispatch of a South Korean warship. At that time, the South Korean government considered the possibility of deploying the Cheonghae Unit. However, to date, the South Korean military's stance has been to maintain its original mission in the Gulf of Aden while remaining prepared to respond immediately if mission orders are issued due to changes in the situation.

Attention is focused on whether Iran's attack on a South Korean merchant ship and President Trump's request will lead to the dispatch of the Cheonghae Unit.

Some are analyzing that President Trump may be testing the current government, amidst recent assertions that the Lee Jae-myung administration is pro-China and anti-U.S.

NNP=Sung Ku Hong, Chief Editor / Special Correspondent NNP info@newsandpost.com