On the 10th local time, SOUTH KOREA'S LEE chaired a state council meeting that
approved an amendment to widen the Cheonghae unit’s mission area and add
military assets; the measure will be submitted to the National Assembly for
approval. Under the amendment, the unit now escorting in the Gulf of Aden would
extend its patrol area to waters south of Oman, closer to the Strait of Hormuz.
Seoul will deploy one maritime patrol aircraft, an explosive ordnance disposal
team and unmanned mine-countermeasure equipment, and adds assisting the
restoration of freedom of navigation on international sea lanes as a mission.
