Seoul: South Korea's defense minister announced that there has been no official request from Washington regarding the deployment of troops to the Middle East. However, he noted that military authorities from both countries continue to engage in close consultations.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the defense minister, Ahn, addressed the issue during a parliamentary session, emphasizing that while no formal communication has been received from the U.S., discussions are ongoing behind the scenes about various potential scenarios. This statement came in response to inquiries about any shifts in the South Korean government's stance on sending troops to the region.
U.S. President Donald Trump had previously prompted U.S. allies, including South Korea, to consider dispatching naval forces to ensure the Strait of Hormuz remains open and secure. The call was made through a post on his Truth Social account dated March 14, following Iran's attempts to close the vital waterway.
Currently, South Korea maintains the Cheonghae naval unit in the Gulf of Aden, which focuses on anti-piracy operations. The unit, which includes the 4,400-ton ROKS Dae Jo Yeong destroyer and around 260 personnel, has been deemed by the defense ministry as unfit for operations in the Strait of Hormuz. Any troop deployment to this strategically sensitive area would require approval from the South Korean parliament.
Despite President Trump's calls, several U.S. allies, including Germany, Spain, and Italy, along with NATO, have declined to send their naval forces to the strait. The region remains highly volatile, with Iran suspected of deploying mines to obstruct maritime traffic.