South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has ruled out deploying combat troops in response to the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, saying Seoul would not send military personnel in a manner that could draw it into an overseas conflict.
“Let it be clear. There will be no dispatch of troops that will lead to involvement in a conflict. There will be no engagement or involvement in war,” Lee told a televised press conference on Friday, according to Yonhap News Agency.
Lee said, however, that South Korea needed to conduct “the minimum level of activities” to protect its citizens and crude oil transport routes through the strategic waterway.
South Korea’s Cheonghae military unit has already expanded its mission in the region, while Seoul is considering ways to strengthen those measures, Lee said.
“There will be no war deployment,” he stressed, reiterating that South Korea would maintain its principle of non-involvement and non-intervention, according to The Chosun Daily.
The remarks came as South Korea weighed possible contributions to efforts to secure navigation through the Strait of Hormuz amid pressure from Washington.
Assets reportedly under consideration include maritime patrol aircraft, explosive ordnance disposal teams and unmanned systems for detecting and clearing naval mines, though the government said no decision had been made.
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 have raised concerns over shipping and crude supplies.
Lee said South Korea had faced difficulties securing crude oil early in the conflict as vessels avoided risky waters.
