Seoul says it is consulting with the US and other partners on a contribution to
restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and stabilise the Middle
East, but no decision has been reached. The defence ministry shifted from
signalling progress last week to a more cautious stance as US‑Iran clashes in
the Hormuz area have resumed and there is pushback within the ruling party. Any
overseas troop dispatch requires National Assembly approval; with the ruling
party divided and parliamentary business—ministerial confirmation hearings and
government audits—crowded, a deployment motion is unlikely to be tabled this
month. Seoul says a deployment decision would affect sensitive ROK‑US
negotiations, including fuel arrangements for nuclear submarines and transfer of
wartime operational control; Washington has publicly criticised Seoul’s 'lack of
contribution' and ordered reductions in theatre‑level ROK‑US joint exercises.
