Overview
- On Friday the presidential office said the government is conducting a review of possible contributions to keep the Strait of Hormuz open and that no deployment decision has been made.
- Officials say the options under study range from noncombat roles to limited military assets such as maritime patrol aircraft, a logistics support ship, and mine‑detection or clearance teams.
- Any overseas dispatch would have to follow domestic legal steps and win consent from the National Assembly and must not weaken South Korea’s defence readiness on the Korean Peninsula.
- The review follows public pressure from the United States and consultations with partners including the U.S., Britain and France, and President Lee may raise the issue with Emmanuel Macron next week.
- Public and political resistance is strong at home — a March Gallup Korea poll found 55% opposed sending warships — and Seoul must weigh that opposition against economic risks from Hormuz disruptions and alliance pressures.