Photo courtesy of Anadolu
South Korea denied reports that the United States had recently asked it to deploy military assets to the Strait of Hormuz amid renewed tensions in the Middle East.
National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said Seoul had not received any new request from Washington to send a warship or take specific military action in the strategic waterway.
The clarification followed media reports claiming the US had sought South Korea’s participation in efforts to secure maritime routes through the strait.
South Korea said it was instead reviewing possible ways to contribute to freedom of navigation while considering its defense readiness on the Korean Peninsula and domestic legal requirements.
The issue surfaced as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with the foreign ministers of South Korea, Japan, India and Australia on the sidelines of Association of Southeast Asian Nations meetings in Manila.
Rubio said the United States had not asked its allies during the meetings to commit naval assets to the Strait of Hormuz.
He added that regional partners had a strong interest in keeping the waterway open because many relied on oil and natural gas shipments passing through the area.
While no agreement was reached, Rubio said Washington would welcome any future contributions from allies to help safeguard maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz.
