South Korea was for months a coronavirus success story as it kept outbreaks under control with testing, tracing and social distancing but the Delta variant has been fueling a new wave of persistent infections in recent weeks.

The outbreak on the South Korean destroyer with some 300 service members on board operating in the Gulf of Aden is another headache for the administration of President Moon Jae-in.

Moon has ordered medical experts with emergency equipment to fly to the region to contain the outbreak and get patients out if they have to, said presidential spokeswoman Park Kyung-mee.

The Yonhap news agency, citing the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said six service members had tested positive for the coronavirus, while some 80 had developed some symptoms.

The defense ministry said none on board the destroyer had been vaccinated as the unit had left in February, before the vaccination campaign began for military personnel.

South Korea's foreign ministry and it diplomatic mission were communicating with authorities of the host country to facilitate treatment and transport of any patients, ministry spokesman Choi Young-sam told a briefing.

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