Is the US Requesting Military Ships for the Hormuz Strait? South Korea’s Foreign Minister Responds

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun (center) answers lawmakers’ questions at the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee plenary session on the 17th. / Reporter Lee Byunghwa photolbh@

On March 17, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun gave an equivocal response when asked whether Washington had formally requested that Seoul dispatch warships to the Strait of Hormuz, saying, “It could be an (official) request, or it might not be.”

At the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee plenary session, lawmakers repeatedly pressed him on whether the U.S. had made an official request to send forces. Cho said he found it “difficult to answer,” and added that saying it was “difficult” does not mean an official request was made. His remarks were widely read as indicating that Seoul has not received concrete U.S. plans to deploy allied warships to the Strait of Hormuz.

Earlier, on the evening of the 16th, at the U.S. side’s request, Cho held a phone call with Secretary Rubio to exchange views on recent developments in the Middle East and on Korea-U.S. relations. According to the Foreign Ministry, Secretary Rubio briefed Cho on the current situation and outlook in the Middle East and asked for Seoul’s attention and support to help restore peace and stability in the region. He also stressed the importance of long-term security for the Strait of Hormuz and requested close communication.

Faced with interpretations that the exchanges amounted to a formal U.S. request to send warships, Cho took a cautious stance at the committee.

A Foreign Ministry official told reporters that Cho’s remarks emphasized handling the U.S. proposal carefully because it remains a work in progress. The official said the U.S. concept has not been finalized, and Seoul will monitor how it develops before deciding on an appropriate response.

Responding to criticism that a deployment to the Strait could be unconstitutional, Cho said decisions would be made in accordance with the Constitution and the law, and he promised to brief the relevant parliamentary committees in detail.

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-baek, appearing before the Assembly’s Defense Committee, said he had not received an official U.S. request to dispatch ships. He added that a message left by President Trump on social media would not be considered an official request. Ahn also reiterated that any deployment to the Strait of Hormuz would require parliamentary approval.

Cho said the Foreign Ministry has concrete plans to secure the safety of, evacuate and resupply 26 vessels and 183 crew members currently stranded in the Strait. The ministry has opened standing channels with nearby port authorities and said it can move immediately to provide food or other supplies if needed.