South Korea: No Request from the U.S., No Discussion on Sending Warships to the Middle East
According to a report by the South Korean news agency Yonhap on March 17, South Korean Defense Minister An Gui-beom stated that no formal request has been received from the United States regarding the deployment of troops to the Strait of Hormuz, and discussions on whether to send naval vessels to the Middle East have not yet taken place.
When asked about the related issues during a full meeting of the National Defense Committee held in the National Assembly, An Gui-beom stated that the South Korean side has not received a formal request from the U.S. regarding troop deployment to the Strait of Hormuz, and that “(U.S. President Trump’s) statements on social media cannot be taken as official.”
An Gui-beom emphasized that according to the South Korean Constitution, the deployment of troops must be approved by the National Assembly, and discussions on whether to send troops to the Middle East have not yet occurred.
On the 14th, Trump posted on social media expressing hope that countries such as South Korea, the United Kingdom, and France would send naval vessels to ensure that the Strait of Hormuz “remains open and safe.”
South Korea's Defense Minister announced that the country has not received a formal request from the United States to deploy troops to the Strait of Hormuz and has not discussed sending naval vessels to the Middle East. He emphasized that any troop deployment would require approval from the National Assembly. President Trump had previously called for allied nations to contribute naval support in the region.
- South Korea's Defense Minister stated no formal request from the U.S. has been received.
- There has been no discussion in South Korea about sending naval vessels to the Middle East.
- The decision to deploy troops requires approval from the South Korean National Assembly.
- U.S. President Trump expressed a desire for allied nations to send ships to ensure the Strait of Hormuz remains open and safe.