South Korea weighs troop deployment to protect navigation in the Strait of Hormuz

At a parliamentary hearing, Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo outlined the government's ongoing evaluation of a potential troop deployment to the Strait of Hormuz. He stressed that the assessment centers on ensuring safe navigation and securing energy supply chains, rather than merely aligning with the South Korea-U.S. alliance. Park clarified that no final decision has been reached and that any contribution would be guided by South Korea's national interests, including the protection of its merchant ships and nationals abroad.

He also highlighted the importance of stable shipping routes for regional stability. The meeting took place while Foreign Minister Cho Hyun was in the United States meeting Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The review comes amid U.S. President Donald Trump's pressure on allies regarding the strategic waterway.