Despite Trump's pressure: South Korean president refuses to send troops to war in Iran

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung rejected pressure from the Trump administration and declared that his country will not send soldiers or military equipment to assist in the American war against Iran. Instead, Seoul is considering expanding the operations of its destroyer and support ships off the coast of Somalia to protect South Korean oil tankers, while avoiding direct participation in combat.

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung today (Friday) rejected pressure from the Trump administration and firmly declared that his country will not send soldiers or military equipment to assist in the American war against Iran. The statement came after US President Donald Trump publicly criticized Seoul, claiming it refuses to help defend the Strait of Hormuz, while mentioning the thousands of American soldiers stationed on the Korean Peninsula. Instead of participating in combat, the South Korean government is considering expanding the operations of its destroyer and support ships stationed off the coast of Somalia to protect South Korean oil tankers and commercial vessels without engaging in actions that could be interpreted as aiding the war in Iran. The confrontation adds to tensions between the long-standing allies, against the backdrop of Trump's unilateral reduction of joint military exercises and disputes over the implementation of a comprehensive economic agreement. The decision carries heavy political risk for Lee, whose approval rating has dropped to a low of 37%, as he faces a collapse in the main stock index, rising housing prices, and ongoing criminal proceedings.