Seoul's head of state, President Lee Jae Myung, told reporters that South Korea will not send any armed forces to the Middle East that could entangle the country in ongoing hostilities. "There will be no deployment of troops that involves or intervenes in a war," he said at a press briefing, emphasizing a long‑standing policy of non‑intervention.
Lee added that the government has consistently adhered to a rule against dispatching military assets for combat purposes and that this stance will remain unchanged. "We have upheld the principle that there will be no deployment of military assets in that form, and that principle will not change in the future," he affirmed.
While rejecting the prospect of combat deployment, the president indicated that officials are reviewing the possibility of expanding South Korea's role in protecting commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The narrow waterway, a critical conduit for global oil supplies, has seen increased risk of disruption amid regional tensions involving Iran.
The consideration reflects broader concerns about the safety of maritime traffic and the potential impact on energy markets, though no concrete decision has been announced. Seoul has previously contributed civilian and humanitarian assistance to the region, but has avoided direct military involvement.
Analysts note that Lee's statements align with South Korea's constitutional limits on overseas military action and its reliance on alliance frameworks, particularly with the United States, for security matters beyond the Korean Peninsula. The president's remarks come as several nations reassess their presence in the Gulf following recent escalations, underscoring the delicate balance between safeguarding national interests and avoiding entanglement in external conflicts.
Reporting attribution: based on reporting by Middle East Eye — original source: https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/south-koreas-lee-says-army-will-not-be-deployed-get-involved-middle-east.