Cheong Wa Dae is reviewing measures to strengthen and expand the Cheonghae Unit’s activities in the Strait of Hormuz to restore freedom of navigation and protect South Korean vessels. National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said the review remains unfinished and would follow a policy of avoiding participation in or intervention in any war while carrying out only the activities needed to protect merchant ships, maintain oil transportation and safeguard citizens. The position advances from Wi’s statement at the previous day’s National Assembly Operation Committee audit that patrol aircraft had been considered but no decision had been made. The government also reaffirmed its response to the Demilitarized Zone mine explosion incident, saying it is acting against North Korean actions crossing the Military Demarcation Line under operational guidelines and has demonstrated military readiness through hypersonic missile tests. Wi said differing perceptions of the MDL are the root of tensions and that Seoul has repeatedly proposed inter-Korean military authority talks. On wartime operational control, South Korean and U.S. leaders agreed during the September UN General Assembly summit to deepen cooperation and continue follow-up discussions, while both countries’ defense ministers reaffirmed close coordination on Oct. 28. U.S. Secretary of Defense Hagesses reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to the transfer, with defense ministers planning talks in Washington in December and a South Korea-U.S. Security Consultative Meeting in early next year. Seoul also said its support for Ukraine would continue despite a diplomatic dispute over the repatriation of North Korean prisoners of war, and that sanctions and export controls against Russia remain unchanged. Wi said fact-finding and consultations with Ukraine are needed to rebuild trust and develop bilateral relations.