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South Korea rejects Hormuz deployment plan

Sunday, 20 September 2026 9:22 AM [ Last Update: Sunday, 20 September 2026 9:22 AM ]

US Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) (L) talks with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) during a rally with fellow Democrats before voting on H.R. 1, or the People Act, on the East Steps of the US Capitol on March 08, 2019 in Washington, DC. (AFP photo)

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung speaking during a press conference on 18 Sep 2026 rejects any US request for Seoul to join the war against Iran. (AFP)

South Korean President Lee Jae-Myung, facing declining approval ratings amid domestic opposition to deploying troops for the US conflict with Iran, has stated that there will be no deployment that involves or engages in the war, nor will military assets be dispatched

Protests against his indecision over dispatching troops to support the US war on Iran have seen South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating hit record lows.

His news conference on Friday offered little clarity.

On the matter of troop deployment, I can say this: there will be no deployment that involves or engages in the conflict.

I can state that clearly: there will be no involvement or engagement in the conflict.

We will not carry out that kind of deployment, nor will we dispatch military assets in that form.

Lee Jae-Myung, President of South Korea

South Korean president drops Hormuz deployment plan amid protests

South Korean president drops Hormuz deployment plan amid protests

Facing public protests, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung declined to commit troops or aid to the US war on Iran or Hormuz patrols.

With Lee Jae-Myung leaving the door open to some type of deployment, South Koreans opposed to Seoul helping US President Donald Trump with his war of choice, rallied and marched downtown past the US embassy.

Trump is desperately hoping for South Korea to send troops.

Having suffered another humiliation in the Red Sea following the Strait of Hormuz, Trump is trying to use South Korea as leverage to drag his allies into this war.

Lee Wonung, Workers’ Solidarity

South Korea says will not send troops to join terrorist US war on Iran

South Korea says will not send troops to join terrorist US war on Iran

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung says his country will not deploy troops or military assets to join the US-led military aggression against Iran, defying calls from Washington to support the illegal war.

Trump's desperation includes seeking other countries to pay for the massive waste of resources entailed in America's war of aggression.

While the South Korean president delays committing to assisting the US with its war on Iran, Trump ramps up various threats, including a short-lived proposal to charge a toll on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump has floated various schemes to try to drag others into the war, so far, American allies have refused to get involved or assist the US.

South Koreans demand government stay out of US war on Iran

South Koreans demand government stay out of US war on Iran

South Korean civic activists have protested a US demand for their country to join Washington’s war on Iran and send forces to the Strait of Hormuz.

A majority of South Koreans now oppose a troop dispatch to the region.

There are people in Korea who support the Iranian people; I am one of those people, and I intend to make my voice heard.

We stand in support of the Iranian people's resistance against imperialism in the face of US aggression, and we hope for a US defeat.

Yang Hyo-Young, Workers’ Solidarity

Amid America's losses and shipping chaos in the Strait of Hormuz, South Korea struggles amid rising fuel costs with tax breaks and subsidies, and once again freezes gasoline prices.