Cheong Wa Dae says Lee's 'no war intervention' remark not a rejection of Trump's Hormuz request
Cheong Wa Dae said Saturday that President Lee Jae Myung's remarks ruling out troop dispatches that could involve the country in a war were not a refusal of U.S. President Donald Trump's request for Seoul to send forces to the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The presidential office clarified the position after the New York Times reported that Lee's comments at a press conference Friday amounted to a…
Cheong Wa Dae clarified on Saturday that President Lee Jae Myung's remarks on Friday about not sending troops to war zones were not a rejection of U.S. President Donald Trump's request for South Korea to provide military assistance in the Strait of Hormuz. The presidential office addressed the issue following a claim by The New York Times that Lee's statements at a press conference amounted to a denial of Trump's appeal for Seoul's military cooperation in the Middle East.
Lee did not explicitly reject Trump's request for Korea's cooperation on Middle East-related matters during the press conference, according to a presidential official who spoke on condition of anonymity. The government has been exploring practical ways to contribute to protection efforts in close communication with the international community, including the United States, to safeguard national interests.
Seoul reaffirmed its commitment to examining concrete options while adhering to its stated principle of not intervening in war or combat. On Friday, Lee had asserted during a nationally televised press conference that South Korea would not engage in troop dispatches that could escalate a war.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
