(EDITORIAL from The Korea Times on March 17) | Yonhap News Agency

## Summary
OK Seoul's Hormuz dilemma Lee asked to choose between alliance and anti-war sentiment Korea is facing repeated calls from the U.S. to send warships to help keep the Strait of Hormuz open and safe for cargo ships. President Donald Trump tried to rally support from allies and other affected countries to send warships to the area. "Hopefully China, France, Japan, South Korea, the UK, and others, that are affected by this artificial constraint, will send Ships to the area so that the Hormuz Strait will no longer be a threat by a Nation that has been totally decapitated," he wrote. Otherwise, the decision — whether to send warships in response to the U.S. request or to decline — could backfire domestically, internationally or both. (END) Keywords #dailies-editorials Articles with issue keywords Most Liked (News Focus) USFK's relocation of military assets to Middle East raises concerns about Seoul's capability to deter N.K. threats 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life BTS expands Gwanghwamun concert capacity to 22,000 with added standing zones (2nd LD) N. Korea estimated to have earned up to US$14.4 bln from Russia-Ukraine war involvement: report (LEAD) Cheong Wa Dae says sufficient deliberations needed to handle Trump's request for Hormuz warships (LEAD) Trump says trip to China might be delayed, calls on Beijing to help unblock Hormuz Strait: report Most Viewed More Most Viewed Photos N.

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OK
Seoul's Hormuz dilemma
Lee asked to choose between alliance and anti-war sentiment
Korea is facing repeated calls from the U.S. to send warships to help keep the Strait of Hormuz open and safe for cargo ships.
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright urged all nations affected by Iran's blockade of the strait to join U.S. efforts to reopen it. "All nations of the world depend on products that come from the Strait of Hormuz. China is at the top of that list. Japan, Korea and all the Asian nations rely on the energy that flows out of the Strait of Hormuz," he said Sunday on the ABC News program "This Week." Therefore, Wright said, it is logical to build a broad coalition of nations to reopen the strait.
His remarks came a day after U.S. President Donald Trump tried to rally support from allies and other affected countries to send warships to the area. "Hopefully China, France, Japan, South Korea, the UK, and others, that are affected by this artificial constraint, will send Ships to the area so that the Hormuz Strait will no longer be a threat by a Nation that has been totally decapitated," he wrote.
No official U.S. request has been received in Korea so far.
Korea is no stranger to overseas naval deployments. The Dae Jo Yeong, a 4,400-ton KDX-II destroyer, has been dispatched to waters near the Horn of Africa to protect Korean commercial vessels passing through the region. Korea expanded its mission area to include the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz in January 2020 when tensions between the United States and Iran escalated following the assassination of Gen. Qasem Soleimani. Soleimani, the commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, was killed in a targeted U.S. drone strike.
On an anti-piracy mission, the KDX-II destroyer escorted Korean commercial vessels to ensure their safe passage through the strait.
But this time, the stakes are higher.
Despite massive damage to its major military facilities, Iran has not backed down, saying it will continue blockading the Strait of Hormuz, the key channel through which about 20 percent of the world's oil supplies pass. Iran's decision has been selective: It has allowed Chinese and Indian commercial vessels to pass through the strait while threatening attacks against ships from other countries.
The deadlock in the Strait of Hormuz has triggered a spike in oil prices. Brent crude, the global benchmark, rose to about $106.12 per barrel Monday. Soaring oil prices, combined with other negative signals — such as the appreciation of the Korean won and U.S. tariffs on imported goods manufactured in Korea — are ringing alarm bells for the Korean economy, which relies heavily on oil imports.
Overseas military deployment is a sensitive and divisive issue for Koreans.
Korea sent troops to Iraq in 2003 at the request of the United States. Consisting of 675 personnel, the noncombatant forces began their tour of duty in April that year after the National Assembly approved the motion. The decision sparked heated debate both for and against the deployment.
This time, the stakes are even higher, due to the catastrophic developments in the war in Iran. Progressive groups have already raised their voices against committing military forces to the conflict. In a statement released Sunday, the civic group People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy said doing so would violate the Constitution. "The U.S. invasion of Iran is an apparent violation of international law. Therefore, if Korea joins the U.S. military action, it would violate the Constitution, which prohibits the nation from invading other countries," the group said.
President Lee Jae Myung now faces a dilemma.
The continuation of the war in Iran does not benefit Korea at all, as its fallout is already wreaking havoc on the economy. In that sense, Seoul has reason to support global efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
But anti-war sentiment — which would likely intensify if warships are sent — poses a significant domestic hurdle.
Seoul is closely watching developments while refraining from giving a clear answer to the U.S. request. An official from the presidential office said Sunday that Seoul will work closely with Washington and make a prudent decision.
"The safety and freedom of navigation in international waterways are in the interests of every nation and must therefore be protected," the official said on condition of anonymity. "Based on this belief, we hope the global maritime supply chain can return to normal."
The sensitive nature of overseas deployments in a war zone requires the Lee administration to adopt a careful, prudent and sophisticated strategy. Otherwise, the decision — whether to send warships in response to the U.S. request or to decline — could backfire domestically, internationally or both.
(END)
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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
- The continuation of the war in Iran does not benefit Korea at all, as its fallout is already wreaking havoc on the economy.
- But anti-war sentiment — which would likely intensify if warships are sent — poses a significant domestic hurdle.

### Areas for Consideration
- President Donald Trump tried to rally support from allies and other affected countries to send warships to the area. "Hopefully China, France, Japan, South Korea, the UK, and others, that are affected by this artificial constraint, will send Ships to the area so that the Hormuz Strait will no longer be a threat by a Nation that has been totally decapitated," he wrote.
- Overseas military deployment is a sensitive and divisive issue for Koreans.
- Otherwise, the decision — whether to send warships in response to the U.S. request or to decline — could backfire domestically, internationally or both. (END) Keywords #dailies-editorials Articles with issue keywords Most Liked (News Focus) USFK's relocation of military assets to Middle East raises concerns about Seoul's capability to deter N.K. threats 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life BTS expands Gwanghwamun concert capacity to 22,000 with added standing zones (2nd LD) N.

### Implications
- President Donald Trump tried to rally support from allies and other affected countries to send warships to the area. "Hopefully China, France, Japan, South Korea, the UK, and others, that are affected by this artificial constraint, will send Ships to the area so that the Hormuz Strait will no longer be a threat by a Nation that has been totally decapitated," he wrote.
- Despite massive damage to its major military facilities, Iran has not backed down, saying it will continue blockading the Strait of Hormuz, the key channel through which about 20 percent of the world's oil supplies pass.
- An official from the presidential office said Sunday that Seoul will work closely with Washington and make a prudent decision. "The safety and freedom of navigation in international waterways are in the interests of every nation and must therefore be protected," the official said on condition of anonymity. "Based on this belief, we hope the global maritime supply chain can return to normal." The sensitive nature of overseas deployments in a war zone requires the Lee administration to adopt a careful, prudent and sophisticated strategy.
- Otherwise, the decision — whether to send warships in response to the U.S. request or to decline — could backfire domestically, internationally or both. (END) Keywords #dailies-editorials Articles with issue keywords Most Liked (News Focus) USFK's relocation of military assets to Middle East raises concerns about Seoul's capability to deter N.K. threats 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life BTS expands Gwanghwamun concert capacity to 22,000 with added standing zones (2nd LD) N.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers korea, strait, hormuz topics. Notable strengths include discussion of korea. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 1061.