Trump Pressures Allies for Strait of Hormuz Troop Deployment

U.S. President Donald Trump's repeated demands for allies to deploy troops to the Strait of Hormuz are causing deep deliberation for the South Korean government. On the 18th (local time), President Trump shared a New York Post editorial on his Truth Social, urging allies to "wake up" and "step up to help keep the Strait of Hormuz open."

In response, the South Korean government held a joint situation assessment meeting on the 18th, hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, involving relevant ministries and diplomatic missions to discuss measures for ensuring the safety of Korean ships and sailors in the Strait of Hormuz. During the Moon Jae-in administration in 2020, instead of joining the U.S.-led International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC) multinational force, South Korea responded by expanding the operational scope of the Cheonghae Unit in the Gulf of Aden under the guise of 'protecting its citizens.' As this did not constitute a new troop deployment, it did not require parliamentary approval.

Unlike in the past, if South Korean troops were to be deployed amidst the current conflict between the U.S. and Iran, they would face significant military risks, including entering Iranian territorial waters and the danger zone known as a 'kill box.' There would also be a considerable possibility of becoming involved in the war under the U.S.-led alliance system, making parliamentary approval a likely necessity.