Opposition lawmaker warns S. Korea could become Iran's target if troops sent to Strait of Hormuz

Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Lee Ki-heon came out Friday against deploying South Korean troops to the Strait of Hormuz, saying the move "does not serve the national interest" and warning that South Korea could become a direct target of Iranian attacks if it sends forces.

Lee, a member of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, made the remarks on KBS Radio's Jeongyeok Sisa program. "The safety of deployed troops is one concern, but when we participate in a war that the international community describes as a war of aggression, South Korea's national interests will inevitably suffer serious damage after the war ends," he said.

Lee warned that no other country had agreed to join the fight despite US requests. "The United States has asked multiple countries to participate, and not one of them has done so," he said. "If South Korea is the first to join, it will inevitably become a direct target of Iranian attacks."

He also raised concerns about the impact on energy supply chains. "The Middle East is the source of about 70 percent of our country's energy — 70 percent of our crude oil comes through that region," Lee said. "There is a real possibility that our energy supply routes could be blocked. In that respect as well, this does not serve the national interest."

On the safety of overseas nationals and South Korean vessels and crew, Lee said, "If we become a belligerent, we cannot guarantee the safety of our nationals in the Middle East. Deploying troops could actually threaten the safety of our ships and sailors."

Lee also rebuffed arguments that a troop deployment could serve as leverage in investment negotiations with the United States. "I see the deployment and the negotiations as separate matters," he said. "The United States is a country that keeps its political goals, international leadership and economic interests in separate compartments."

He added, "Sending troops might put President Donald Trump in a good mood for a moment, but the United States as a nation will not yield a single inch on its economic and security interests. Thinking 'if I give them this, I'll get a concession on that' is naive."

Lee also raised concerns about the Ministry of National Defense's dispatch of a survey team to the Middle East. "They say the fact-finding team was not sent as a precondition for deployment, but that is hard to take at face value," he said. "This must not be allowed to appear any further as a precursor to deployment."

He added that he expected the National Security Council to make a sound decision. "I believe that if troops are deployed, the safety of our overseas nationals could be immediately threatened," Lee said. "I expect the NSC to make a reasonable decision, and I trust that no deployment order will be issued that would bring a ratification bill before the National Assembly."