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South Korea Rejects US Pressure to Join War Efforts Against Iran
Confirmed
In Short: South Korea's president Lee Jae Myung says Seoul will not deploy military assets to the Strait of Hormuz, despite US pressure.
South Korea's president Lee Jae Myung has declared that the country will not deploy military assets to the Strait of Hormuz, effectively rejecting US pressure to join its war efforts against Iran. 'There won’t be deployment that would involve or enter war,' Lee stated, emphasizing South Korea’s commitment to avoiding direct involvement in the conflict.
The decision comes after months of speculation and domestic debate over the possibility of South Korea contributing to global efforts to ensure free navigation in the strategic waterway. President Donald Trump had criticized Seoul for insufficient support, leading to the scaling back of joint military drills between the two countries.
South Korea’s government had been reviewing a possible military deployment to the Strait of Hormuz, but the idea faced significant domestic opposition. A Gallup Korea poll from March found that 55 percent of people were against sending South Korean warships to the strait.
The United States has been pressuring Seoul and other allies to join its efforts against Iran, which has seen Tehran limiting maritime traffic in the strait, a key route for global oil supplies. South Korea, heavily affected by the closure of the waterway, has been under heavy US pressure for participation.
Any military deployment by South Korea requires a decision by the National Security Council, a resolution at a cabinet meeting, and consent from the National Assembly. President Lee added that he was reviewing whether to play a greater role in safeguarding navigation in the region, but stressed that such contributions would not compromise South Korea’s military readiness.
What's confirmed
- South Korea's president Lee Jae Myung has declared that the country will not deploy military assets to the Strait of Hormuz, effectively rejecting US pressure to join its war efforts against Iran. 'There won’t be deployment that would involve or enter war,' Lee stated, emphasizing South Korea’s commitment to avoiding direct involvement in the conflict.
- The decision comes after months of speculation and domestic debate over the possibility of South Korea contributing to global efforts to ensure free navigation in the strategic waterway. President Donald Trump had criticized Seoul for insufficient support, leading to the scaling back of joint military drills between the two countries.
- South Korea’s government had been reviewing a possible military deployment to the Strait of Hormuz, but the idea faced significant domestic opposition. A Gallup Korea poll from March found that 55 percent of people were against sending South Korean warships to the strait.
- The United States has been pressuring Seoul and other allies to join its efforts against Iran, which has seen Tehran limiting maritime traffic in the strait, a key route for global oil supplies. South Korea, heavily affected by the closure of the waterway, has been under heavy US pressure for participation.
- Any military deployment by South Korea requires a decision by the National Security Council, a resolution at a cabinet meeting, and consent from the National Assembly. President Lee added that he was reviewing whether to play a greater role in safeguarding navigation in the region, but stressed that such contributions would not compromise South Korea’s military readiness.
What's still developing
- Trump has been pushing aides for a meeting with Kim as soon as the autumn, the Wall Street Journal has reported.
- South Korea maintains a naval presence off the coast of Somalia as part of an anti-piracy mission.
- South Korea committed last year to invest $350bn in US manufacturing in return for Washington lowering tariffs on Korean imports to 15%.
- North Korean state media has so far remained largely silent on the repeated calls from Trump for such a meeting.
- Local broadcaster JTBC reported on Thursday that South Korea’s government was “leaning toward” dispatching troops to the strait and reviewing details ahead of seeking parliamentary approval.
- An unnamed official told reporters that “nothing has been decided” and that Seoul would consider domestic legal procedures, military readiness and parliamentary approval.
- “Any military deployment or participation in operations by other countries in the Persian Gulf or the Strait of Hormuz can only be regarded as direct support for the party responsible for that aggression and will have serious consequences,” he said in a post on X.
- Iran and the United States have continued to trade fire in and around the Strait of Hormuz, even after an April ceasefire brought the initial intense bombardment campaign to an end.