South Korea Considers Possible Role in Securing Strait of Hormuz

South Korea is considering possible “contributions” to international efforts aimed at maintaining freedom of navigation through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, the country’s presidential office has said.

The announcement comes as the United States continues to pressure Seoul and other allies to play a role in securing the waterway amid the ongoing conflict between the US, Israel and Iran.

In a statement issued on Friday, September 4, 2026, the presidential office said several options were being examined regarding possible assistance to ensure the safe movement of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.

However, officials stressed that no final decision had been reached.

Reports by South Korean broadcaster JTBC had earlier suggested that the government was considering sending troops to the region and reviewing the necessary procedures before seeking parliamentary approval.

The presidential office subsequently moved to clarify the situation, saying discussions about possible military contributions should not be interpreted as a decision to deploy troops.

An unnamed presidential official told reporters that South Korea would consider factors including domestic legal requirements, military readiness and the need for approval from the National Assembly.

The official said South Korea could potentially make military contributions to international efforts to guarantee freedom of navigation through the waterway, provided such involvement did not undermine the country’s own defence capabilities.

The presidential office later explained that references to possible military roles including combat participation, non-combat duties and search operations were only general examples of options under consideration.

“Nothing has been decided yet concerning actual contributions,” the office said.
Any military deployment by South Korea would require approval through several domestic procedures, including a decision by the National Security Council, a cabinet resolution and consent from the National Assembly.

Officials also stressed that the discussions had not reached the stage of requesting parliamentary approval and that no final deployment decision had been made.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung could discuss the situation and possible options concerning the Strait of Hormuz during his planned meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron next week.

However, domestic support for South Korean military involvement in the Middle East appears limited.

A Gallup Korea poll conducted in March found that 55 percent of respondents opposed sending South Korean warships to the Strait of Hormuz.

At the same time, South Korea has significant economic and energy interests in keeping the waterway open.

The country depended on supplies passing through the Strait of Hormuz for about 61 percent of its crude oil imports and 54 percent of its naphtha imports last year.

The situation has also placed Seoul under increasing pressure from Washington, its key security ally.

US President Donald Trump said in August that he had cancelled joint military exercises with South Korea partly because Seoul had declined to assist the United States in its war against Iran.

Following the remarks, the South Korean government said it would consider deploying forces to the Strait of Hormuz only after the US-Iran conflict had ended.

The presidential office has also rejected claims that South Korea has provided no assistance concerning the strategic waterway, saying Seoul has for some time been discussing practical ways to contribute to international efforts to maintain maritime security.

South Korea previously increased its military presence around the Strait of Hormuz in late 2019, when it expanded the operational area of its anti-piracy naval unit, originally deployed near Somalia, following pressure from the United States to help protect oil tankers.

For now, however, Seoul maintains that no decision has been taken on whether to make a new military contribution to the security of the Strait of Hormuz.

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