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South Korea Sidesteps Question on US Request for Warships to Mideast
(MENAFN) South Korea’s foreign minister avoided giving a clear answer on Tuesday when questioned about whether Washington had officially sought Seoul’s participation in deploying warships to the Middle East, as stated by reports.
Speaking during a parliamentary session, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun offered ambiguous replies when lawmakers pressed him on whether any formal or informal communication had been made by the United States regarding troop deployment in support of its operations against Iran.
"It may or may not be considered a request," he said. "As for whether there have been discussions with the US about troop deployment itself, it is difficult for me to comment at this time."
His remarks followed comments made on Sunday by US President Donald Trump, who urged several countries—including China, France, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom—to participate in what he described as a “team effort” aimed at maintaining open passage through the Strait of Hormuz by sending naval forces. However, no nation has publicly confirmed involvement in the initiative so far.
On Monday, Trump stated that “numerous countries” were getting ready to assist the United States in reopening the waterway, though he did not name them, citing fears they could become targets.
He also pointed out that the United States relies on the strait for less than 1% of its oil imports, whereas countries such as Japan, China, South Korea, and many in Europe are significantly more dependent on the route.
The strategic passage has become a focal point of global energy concerns since Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) declared it closed to most vessels amid ongoing US-Israeli military actions against Iran that began on Feb. 28.
Speaking during a parliamentary session, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun offered ambiguous replies when lawmakers pressed him on whether any formal or informal communication had been made by the United States regarding troop deployment in support of its operations against Iran.
"It may or may not be considered a request," he said. "As for whether there have been discussions with the US about troop deployment itself, it is difficult for me to comment at this time."
His remarks followed comments made on Sunday by US President Donald Trump, who urged several countries—including China, France, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom—to participate in what he described as a “team effort” aimed at maintaining open passage through the Strait of Hormuz by sending naval forces. However, no nation has publicly confirmed involvement in the initiative so far.
On Monday, Trump stated that “numerous countries” were getting ready to assist the United States in reopening the waterway, though he did not name them, citing fears they could become targets.
He also pointed out that the United States relies on the strait for less than 1% of its oil imports, whereas countries such as Japan, China, South Korea, and many in Europe are significantly more dependent on the route.
The strategic passage has become a focal point of global energy concerns since Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) declared it closed to most vessels amid ongoing US-Israeli military actions against Iran that began on Feb. 28.
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