(3rd LD) Presidential office says no decision reached on troop deployment to Hormuz; review ongoing

The presidential office has stated that no final decision has been made regarding the deployment of military forces to the Strait of Hormuz, as a review of the situation is ongoing. South Korea may be able to provide military assistance to global efforts aimed at maintaining free navigation through the strait, provided it does not compromise its own defense readiness, according to a presidential official.

The official emphasized that such contributions could involve not only combat forces but also noncombatant and search forces, among other options. The government is conducting a comprehensive review of all potential military contributions before reaching a decision.

U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly been pressuring Seoul to contribute militarily to the strategic waterway, with the South Korean ally allegedly rejecting his request. The official clarified that the ongoing discussion regarding potential contributions has not yet reached the stage of seeking parliamentary approval and that no final decision has been reached.

Contrary to popular belief, military contributions could encompass a range of options beyond combat forces, such as noncombatant and search forces, among others. The official explicitly denied suggestions that the Hormuz deployment issue has hindered ongoing negotiations between Seoul and Washington aimed at advancing their economic and defense agreement, which was signed last year as part of a broader tariff deal.

The official acknowledged, however, that bilateral negotiations are not progressing smoothly and that semiconductor-related matters are also being addressed as part of the ongoing discussions. Earlier this week, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick indicated that the Trump administration is developing a targeted and thoughtful tariff policy specifically for semiconductors.