Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back Says South Korea Has Not Received US Request for Warships

South Korea’s defence ministry said Tuesday it has not received any official request from the United States to deploy warships to the Middle East, following renewed calls by US President Donald Trump for allies to assist in securing the Strait of Hormuz. Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back made the remarks during a parliamentary session, emphasizing that informal messages or social media posts do not constitute official requests.

Trump on Monday urged South Korea, Japan, and other US partners to join efforts to protect the vital shipping route, citing America’s longstanding security role in the region. Responding to lawmakers’ questions, Ahn said the South Korean government has held internal discussions but has yet to reach a stage where deployment details could be disclosed.

“The defence ministry has not received an official request,” Ahn said, adding that any decision on sending warships would require careful consideration of national interests, public safety, the Constitution, and parliamentary approval. He emphasized that deployment decisions must align with legal and strategic frameworks rather than informal suggestions.

Also Read: Yoon Suk Yeol Stands Defiant: Life Imprisonment for Leading 2024 Rebellion

The defence chief also reaffirmed South Korea’s commitment to maintaining robust military readiness amid growing tensions in the Middle East. “Going forward, our military will thoroughly maintain a firm readiness posture against all possible situations,” Ahn told members of the parliamentary defence committee, noting expanding conflicts in the region.

Ahn further highlighted that South Korea is closely coordinating with the United States to ensure vigilance against potential threats from North Korea while safeguarding the safety of military personnel deployed overseas. He cited last week’s “Operation Desert Shine,” in which South Korea successfully evacuated 204 nationals from Saudi Arabia using a military transport aircraft.

As tensions continue to rise in the Middle East, South Korea appears cautious in balancing international security commitments with domestic considerations, signaling that any future naval deployment would require thorough legal, strategic, and parliamentary review before approval.

Also Read: South Korea Traffic Peaks Sunday for Lunar New Year Getaways