Cheong Wa Dae says Lee's 'no war intervention' remark not a rejection of Trump's Hormuz request

The Korea Times reports that South Korea's Cheong Wa Dae, or presidential office, clarified that President Lee Jae Myung's statement ruling out troop dispatches in a war was not a rejection of U.S. President Donald Trump's request for Seoul to send forces to the Strait of Hormuz. The New York Times had previously reported that Lee's comments at a press conference on Friday amounted to a rejection of Trump's appeal for Seoul's military cooperation in the Middle East.

However, a presidential official clarified that Lee did not turn down Trump's request for Korea's cooperation on Middle East-related issues during the press conference. The government is currently reviewing practical ways to contribute to protecting citizens and safeguarding national interests in close communication with the international community, including the United States.

Seoul will continue to examine concrete options under its stated principle of not intervening in war or combat.

Brief written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.