Lee rules out combat deployment to Strait of Hormuz, vows to protect nationals and oil routes

President Lee Jae Myung on Friday drew a firm line against sending combat forces to the Strait of Hormuz, saying there would be "no deployment that involves or intervenes in the war," as the United States has pressed South Korea for a military contribution to the waterway. He said the government is reviewing ways to strengthen the Cheonghae Unit's protective operations to safeguard national interests, energy supply routes and the safety of South Korean nationals.

Speaking at his seventh press conference since taking office, held at Cheong Wa Dae's Yeongbingwan, Lee was asked when and in what form South Korea was considering making a substantive contribution to the Strait of Hormuz. "On the question of military deployment, there will be no deployment that involves or intervenes in the war. I can say that clearly," he said.

Lee said misunderstandings arise because "too many concepts are lumped together under the single word 'deployment,'" and that the location, purpose, type of assets and timing must each be considered separately. "It makes a complete difference whether we are talking about a deployment that directly or indirectly participates in the war between the United States and Iran, or one aimed at protecting our own vessels, crew members and national interests," he said.

He was particularly emphatic that no war-related deployment would occur. "There will be no war deployment. The principle of non-involvement and non-intervention in the war has been upheld until now and will continue to be upheld," he said. He added that he was aware of public concern about sending combat troops or placing South Korean service members under foreign command and putting them in harm's way. "We will not carry out that form of deployment or dispatch of military assets," he said.

Lee acknowledged the need for independent defensive measures to protect lives and economic security. He noted that the Cheonghae Unit is already deployed and operating across an expanded area, responding to threats to shipping lanes — including from pirates — and to the safety of South Korean nationals. "Just as other countries do, we must carry out the minimum activities needed to protect our merchant vessels, oil supply routes and the lives of our people, and we are reviewing and deliberating on ways to strengthen that," he said.

Lee also disclosed that early in the war he had personally ordered the lifting of restrictions that had prevented South Korean oil tankers from entering the Red Sea. Blanket guidelines put in place after the Sewol ferry disaster had led ships to avoid the Red Sea on safety grounds, causing significant disruptions to the country's crude oil supply.

"Because the economic hardship and the suffering of our people were so severe, I personally gave the order to keep monitoring the situation and consider entering the Red Sea," he said. "I judged that if an accident occurred and criticism followed, I would have to bear that criticism myself. That is something I must take responsibility for," he added.