Lee Jae-myung: South Korea will not send troops to the Strait of Hormuz
Lee Jae-myung ruled out sending forces that could draw South Korea into the Middle East war, while asking officials to plan limited protection for ships, oil routes and citizens.
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung said Friday that Seoul will not deploy military forces to the Strait of Hormuz if such a dispatch would draw the country into the Middle East conflict.
Lee rules out troop involvement but orders protection plans
Speaking to reporters, Lee stressed that the government will avoid any action that could lead to direct participation in the war, while acknowledging a need to shield South Korean merchant vessels, crude oil shipments and the safety of citizens operating in the region.
Lee said public concern stems from the risk that protective measures could be mixed up with military operations, and that is why he has ordered officials to study how to provide the necessary security without becoming involved in the fighting.
On the question of troop deployment, he said: "On the question of troop deployment, I can say the following: there will be no deployment that would mean involvement or engagement in the conflict. I can clearly confirm that. There will be no participation or involvement in the conflict. We will not carry out that kind of deployment, nor will we send military resources in that form," Lee Jae-myung said.
The president added that Seoul is examining minimal, noncombat measures aimed at protecting shipping and citizens, while reiterating that South Korea will not become a party to the war.
Photo: press material from the event
