Seoul has been closely affected by the closure of the strategic waterway, and are available below heavy US strain for participation in opposition to Iran.
Printed On 4 Sep 2026
South Korea is mulling “contributions” to the liberty of navigation within the Strait of Hormuz, the presidential workplace mentioned.
The workplace mentioned in a press release launched on Friday that numerous choices concerning offering help in securing the strategic waterway have been being thought of.
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America has been pressuring Seoul and other allies over their refusal to affix its struggle in opposition to Iran, which has seen Tehran limiting maritime visitors within the strait – a key route for world oil provides.
Native broadcaster JTBC reported on Thursday that South Korea’s authorities was “leaning towards” dispatching troops to the strait and reviewing particulars forward of looking for parliamentary approval.
The presidential workplace was desperate to state that no choice has but been made, though that effort appeared to unfold additional confusion.
An unnamed official instructed reporters that “nothing has been determined” and that Seoul would take into account home authorized procedures, navy readiness and parliamentary approval.
“South Korea might be able to make navy contributions to world efforts to make sure free navigation by means of the strait, so long as such contributions don’t compromise its navy readiness,” the official mentioned.
The president’s workplace then issued a press release saying: “References made throughout at the moment’s briefing concerning navy contributions – reminiscent of fight participation, non-combat roles, and search operations – have been merely common descriptions of varied choices.
“Please be suggested that nothing has been determined but regarding precise contributions,” it added.
Any navy deployment by South Korea requires a call by the Nationwide Safety Council, a decision at a cupboard assembly, and consent from the Nationwide Meeting.
The continued dialogue “has not reached the stage of looking for parliamentary approval and no remaining choice has been made,” the official from the presidential workplace mentioned.
President Lee Jae Myung could talk about choices concerning the Strait of Hormuz when he meets French President Emmanuel Macron subsequent week, he added.
Public help for involvement within the Center East could also be restricted. A Gallup Korea ballot from March discovered 55 p.c of individuals have been against sending South Korean warships to the strait.
Nevertheless, South Korea has been heavily affected by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The nation relied on the provides transiting the waterway for 61 p.c of its crude oil imports and 54 p.c of its naphtha imports final 12 months.
Additionally it is below strain from the US, its most essential ally.
President Donald Trump mentioned in August that he had cancelled US-South Korea joint military exercises partially as a result of South Korea had declined to assist the US in its struggle in opposition to Iran.
Afterwards, the South Korean authorities mentioned it could pursue a deployment to the strait solely after the US-Iran struggle ends.
The official from the presidential workplace insisted claims that South Korea has supplied no help associated to the Strait of Hormuz have been “not true”, saying Seoul had lengthy mentioned sensible contributions with the worldwide neighborhood.
In late 2019, South Korea’s navy expanded the deployment of its anti-piracy unit from Somalia to the realm round Hormuz after the US pressed for assist to protect oil tankers.
