WNAM REPORT: South Korea’s Blue House said Saturday that President Lee Jae Myung’s earlier remarks ruling out troop deployments that could involve the country in a war did not amount to a “refusal of US President Donald Trump’s request for Seoul to send forces” to the strategic Strait of Hormuz, according to the news agency.
“Lee did not turn down Trump’s request for South Korea’s cooperation on Middle East-related issues during yesterday’s press conference,” the media outlet reported, citing a presidential official who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity.
Lee had said that “there will be no dispatch of troops that will lead to involvement in a conflict. There will be no engagement or involvement in war.”
The official said the government was reviewing “practical ways to contribute” in close coordination with the international community.
Seoul will continue to examine concrete options under its stated principle of not intervening in wars or combat, the official added.
The remarks came as Seoul weighed possible contributions to efforts to ensure safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz amid pressure from Washington.
The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial energy corridor for South Korea, while the conflict involving Iran and increased activity by Yemen’s Houthi group around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait have raised concerns over shipping and crude supplies.
