Lee Jae-myung, the President of South Korea, stated in a press conference that the country will not send any troops or military equipment to participate or intervene in the war in the Strait of Hormuz. He remarked, "We have adhered to this principle so far, and there will be no change in the future."
Protection of Commercial Vessels and Citizen Security
Lee Jae-myung pointed out the necessity of protecting commercial vessels and oil transportation routes, saying, "It is clear to us that we must take minimal actions to protect commercial vessels, oil transportation routes, and also the security and lives of our citizens, just like other countries." He also mentioned the deployment of the "Cheonghae" unit, which is currently stationed in the region and ready to respond to threats against shipping routes and the security of citizens.
Review and Consultation on Strengthening Capabilities
The President of South Korea further added that the country is reviewing and consulting on ways to strengthen its capabilities in this regard. The South Korean Ministry of Defense has also recently announced the dispatch of a research team to the Strait of Hormuz to assess regional and security conditions. Meanwhile, reports regarding a U.S. request for the deployment of South Korean military equipment in this waterway have been denied.
The South Korean Presidential Office also described reports that the U.S. set a deadline for Seoul to send equipment to the Strait of Hormuz as incorrect, emphasizing that South Korea will make its decisions independently.
Message from Ismail Baqaei to South Korea
Ismail Baqaei, the Iranian Ambassador to South Korea, wrote in a message in Korean on X: "Iran and South Korea have a relationship that spans over 64 years and has always been based on mutual respect. Iran values its friendly relations with South Korea highly."
He added: "However, it is clear that in the current situation, where the Iranian nation is defending itself against aggressive actions and responding decisively to the war crimes of the U.S. against women and children, any operational participation or military presence of other parties in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz would be considered direct support for the aggressor and would have serious consequences."
