Defense chief vows firm readiness against all possible situations involving Mideast conflict | Yonhap News Agency

## Summary
OK SEOUL, March 17 (Yonhap) -- Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back pledged Tuesday to maintain firm military readiness against "all possible situations" that could arise from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Ahn made the remarks at a parliamentary session as the Strait of Hormuz has effectively been shut amid the U.S.-led war in Iran, raising concerns over regional tensions as well as energy imports using the vital oil shipping route. "Going forward, our military will thoroughly maintain a firm readiness posture against all possible situations," he told lawmakers in a parliamentary defense committee meeting, taking note of what he called expanding military clashes across the Middle East. "While securing the safety of military units dispatched overseas, the defense ministry maintains a strengthened surveillance posture against North Korea under close coordination with the United States," he added. Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back (L) shakes hands on March 15, 2026, with a service member, who took part in an operation to bring home South Korean nationals from Saudi Arabia on a military transport aircraft, in this photo provided by the defense ministry. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) mlee@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles Defense chief calls for 'immediately' deploying military assets to evacuate nationals in Iran if needed Defense chief, U.S. undersecretary discuss Middle East situation FM Cho sidesteps questions on whether U.S. asked Seoul to send warships to Middle East (LEAD) Lee calls for measures to handle worst-case scenarios over prolonged Mideast crisis Keywords #defense chief #Middle East Articles with issue keywords Most Liked 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life (News Focus) USFK's relocation of military assets to Middle East raises concerns about Seoul's capability to deter N.K. threats Ex-U.S. officials voice concerns about Trump gov't 'vacating' deterrence assets from Indo-Pacific amid Iran war (2nd LD) N. Korea holds parliamentary elections Anti-U.S. rally prev Defense chief vows firm readiness against all possible situations involving Mideast conflict Next Defense chief vows firm readiness against all possible situations involving Mideast conflict

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SEOUL, March 17 (Yonhap) -- Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back pledged Tuesday to maintain firm military readiness against "all possible situations" that could arise from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Ahn made the remarks at a parliamentary session as the Strait of Hormuz has effectively been shut amid the U.S.-led war in Iran, raising concerns over regional tensions as well as energy imports using the vital oil shipping route.
"Going forward, our military will thoroughly maintain a firm readiness posture against all possible situations," he told lawmakers in a parliamentary defense committee meeting, taking note of what he called expanding military clashes across the Middle East.
"While securing the safety of military units dispatched overseas, the defense ministry maintains a strengthened surveillance posture against North Korea under close coordination with the United States," he added.
Last week, South Korea successfully carried out the mission "Operation Desert Shine" to bring home safely 204 nationals from Saudi Arabia with a military transport aircraft.
Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back (L) shakes hands on March 15, 2026, with a service member, who took part in an operation to bring home South Korean nationals from Saudi Arabia on a military transport aircraft, in this photo provided by the defense ministry. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
mlee@yna.co.kr
(END)
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Defense chief vows firm readiness against all possible situations involving Mideast conflict
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Defense chief vows firm readiness against all possible situations involving Mideast conflict

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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
N/A

### Areas for Consideration
- Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back (L) shakes hands on March 15, 2026, with a service member, who took part in an operation to bring home South Korean nationals from Saudi Arabia on a military transport aircraft, in this photo provided by the defense ministry. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) mlee@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles Defense chief calls for 'immediately' deploying military assets to evacuate nationals in Iran if needed Defense chief, U.S. undersecretary discuss Middle East situation FM Cho sidesteps questions on whether U.S. asked Seoul to send warships to Middle East (LEAD) Lee calls for measures to handle worst-case scenarios over prolonged Mideast crisis Keywords #defense chief #Middle East Articles with issue keywords Most Liked 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life (News Focus) USFK's relocation of military assets to Middle East raises concerns about Seoul's capability to deter N.K. threats Ex-U.S. officials voice concerns about Trump gov't 'vacating' deterrence assets from Indo-Pacific amid Iran war (2nd LD) N.

### Implications
- OK SEOUL, March 17 (Yonhap) -- Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back pledged Tuesday to maintain firm military readiness against "all possible situations" that could arise from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
- Ahn made the remarks at a parliamentary session as the Strait of Hormuz has effectively been shut amid the U.S.-led war in Iran, raising concerns over regional tensions as well as energy imports using the vital oil shipping route. "Going forward, our military will thoroughly maintain a firm readiness posture against all possible situations," he told lawmakers in a parliamentary defense committee meeting, taking note of what he called expanding military clashes across the Middle East. "While securing the safety of military units dispatched overseas, the defense ministry maintains a strengthened surveillance posture against North Korea under close coordination with the United States," he added.
- Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back (L) shakes hands on March 15, 2026, with a service member, who took part in an operation to bring home South Korean nationals from Saudi Arabia on a military transport aircraft, in this photo provided by the defense ministry. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) mlee@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles Defense chief calls for 'immediately' deploying military assets to evacuate nationals in Iran if needed Defense chief, U.S. undersecretary discuss Middle East situation FM Cho sidesteps questions on whether U.S. asked Seoul to send warships to Middle East (LEAD) Lee calls for measures to handle worst-case scenarios over prolonged Mideast crisis Keywords #defense chief #Middle East Articles with issue keywords Most Liked 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life (News Focus) USFK's relocation of military assets to Middle East raises concerns about Seoul's capability to deter N.K. threats Ex-U.S. officials voice concerns about Trump gov't 'vacating' deterrence assets from Indo-Pacific amid Iran war (2nd LD) N.
- Korea, U.S. conduct joint drills Police vow zero tolerance for terror threats against BTS comeback concert Most Saved 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life (2nd LD) N.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers korea, defense, military topics. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 547.