Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the Hormuz deployment plan: “Still under review; navigational safety takes precedence over South Korea-U.S. relations”···NSC switches to a written session - 경향신문

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Lawmakers from the four reform-progressive parties the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, the Progressive Party, the Basic Income Party, and the Social Democratic Party were picketing in front of the National Assembly main chamber on the 17th, calling for “Resolution opposing deployment to Hormuz, pass immediately.” Kim Jun-hyung, floor leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, is speaking. Yonhap News

On the 17th, Minister Cho Hyun of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, addressing whether to deploy to the Strait of Hormuz, said that “we have not yet determined our position” and that “we will participate in international cooperation, but our stance is to prioritize the safety of our citizens and the freedom of navigation in the strait.” The National Security Council (NSC) Standing Committee, which had been expected to discuss a deployment, was reportedly replaced by a written meeting that day.

Before departing for the United States that morning, Cho told reporters at Incheon International Airport that the issue of deployment was “under review, taking into account all sorts of factors.” He is expected to attend a South Korea-U.S. meeting of foreign ministers on the morning of the 18th (local time) and convey the government position regarding the U.S. request for a deployment to the Strait of Hormuz.

First Vice Minister Park Yoon-joo of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also said at a full session of the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee that the deployment is “still in the deliberation stage” and that “we will continue to conduct various internal reviews on specific options.”

Park said, “We are looking at this with greater emphasis on navigational stability, securing the safety of energy supply routes, and the safety of local Korean residents and citizens than on the South Korea-U.S. relationship aspect,” adding, “Our (energy) supply lines depend heavily on that area (the Strait of Hormuz).”

Repeatedly using the term ‘contribution’ instead of ‘deployment’, Park said, “It is a bit too much to call it deployment, and what we are discussing with the international community is, in principle, contribution.”

Park said, “We have conducted internal reviews on what contribution we can make to restoring stability in the region,” and, “As a key party that uses the strait, we have communicated closely with the international community, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and France, with the goal of protecting the safety of our citizens and our economic interests.”

He emphasized, “Whatever specific option is reached, it will be our autonomous decision,” and, “We may consult with relevant countries and the international community, but it is our decision to be made based on the national interest.”

At the committee, concerns continued from ruling party lawmakers opposed to a deployment. Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Ki-heon said, “Given the safety of our nationals overseas and so on, we simply cannot agree to deployment itself,” adding, “We have nothing to gain by mixing this with the various economic and security negotiating agendas the United States is pressing.” Democratic Party lawmaker Woo Won-shik said, “This war is a war of American aggression,” and, “I believe sending troops is entirely different from matters of the South Korea-U.S. alliance.”

The NSC Standing Committee meeting that had been scheduled for 4 p.m. at the presidential office was reportedly replaced with a written session. The shift to a written format was said to have been notified to the foreign and security ministries that morning. As opposition to deployment within the ruling party persists and public opposition centered on civil society grows, the presidential office appears to be moving to adjust the pace.

The NSC Standing Committee consists of nine members, including the Minister of National Defense, the Director of the National Intelligence Service, and the Chief of the Office of the President. It had initially been expected that the NSC Standing Committee would coordinate views among the foreign and security ministries regarding a deployment. Park said, “Once it reaches the appropriate stage, discussions will take place at the NSC.”