South Korea’s president rejects US request for Iran war support
Por Park Chan-kyong — South China Morning Post – News feed
Advertisement South Korea This Week in Asia Politics South Korea’s president rejects US request for Iran war support
President Lee Jae Myung has drawn a firm line against sending troops or assets to the Middle East, defying pressure from Washington
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Park Chan-kyong Published: 4:26pm, 18 Sep 2026 South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has drawn a clear line against any US request for Seoul to join the war against Iran, explicitly ruling out the dispatch of troops or military assets that could involve his country in the conflict.
The stance comes amid mounting public opposition to any military deployment and growing pressure from Washington for Seoul to contribute to efforts to secure freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
Lee’s government faces the difficult task of balancing its security alliance with the United States against the risks of becoming entangled in a distant conflict that could expose South Korean forces, citizens and commercial interests to Iranian retaliation.
“There will be no dispatch of troops or military assets that would lead to involvement in a conflict. There will be no engagement or involvement in war. I can say that clearly,” Lee said during a televised press conference on Friday. “We’ve been sticking to this principle, and this principle won’t change.”
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