South Korea's president, Lee Jae Myung, has said the country will not send its military to support the US war on Iran, resisting calls from Donald Trump.
Key facts
- South Korean President Lee Jae Myung ruled out any military deployment that could draw the country into conflict.
- Lee made the comments at a news conference on Friday.
- The statement resolves recent speculation over a possible deployment to the strait of Hormuz.
- The decision defies pressure from US President Donald Trump to support his war in Iran.
South Korea will not deploy its military to the Middle East in a way that could draw the country into conflict, President Lee Jae Myung has said, resisting calls from US President Donald Trump to support his war in Iran, according to the Guardian.
“There won’t be deployment that would involve or enter war. I can tell you that very clearly,” Lee said at a news conference on Friday. “We won’t deploy military assets in any form to that end.”
The remarks were aimed at resolving recent speculation over whether Seoul might send forces to the strait of Hormuz, a strategically significant waterway in the region.
Lee’s comments position South Korea against pressure from Trump, who has been calling on allies to back the US military campaign against Iran, the Guardian reported.
By stating plainly that no military assets would be deployed “in any form” for that purpose, Lee sought to close off ambiguity that had surrounded Seoul’s stance in recent days.
Why it matters
South Korea is a key US ally, and its refusal to commit forces highlights the limits of Washington's ability to rally partners behind its campaign against Iran. The decision could shape how other allies respond to similar pressure from the Trump administration.
Frequently asked questions
Will South Korea send troops to support the US in Iran?
No. President Lee Jae Myung said there would be no deployment that would involve or enter war, and that South Korea would not deploy military assets in any form to that end.
What prompted South Korea's statement?
According to the Guardian, the statement resolved recent speculation over sending the military to the strait of Hormuz and came amid pressure from US President Donald Trump to support his war in Iran.
When did President Lee make the announcement?
Lee made the comments at a news conference on Friday, in remarks reported on 18 September 2026.