South Korea protests Asian Games ceremony featuring Japanese warlord linked to 16th‑century invasions

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has stated that he will not deploy military assets to the Middle East in a way that would draw the country into conflict related to the Iran war. At a news conference, Lee emphasized that there will be no deployment of troops that involves or intervenes in a war, and that this principle will not change in the future.

However, Lee indicated that the government is considering expanding its role in safeguarding navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, as global energy supplies face severe disruption. This comes amid rising tensions in the region, with Saudi Arabia and Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis exchanging fresh strikes across their border.

The Middle East conflict has also seen other developments, including the US planning to sell up to 48 F-35 stealth fighter jets to Saudi Arabia in a deal worth roughly $24.3 billion, and Yemenis taking to boats in the Red Sea to escape fighting.

Brief written by urgent.news from Al-Monitor, Middle East Eye, The Indian Express, The Jakarta Post — 4 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.