South Korea denies receiving US request to send personnel to Strait of Hormuz

ILLUSTRATION PHOTO/US Marines in the Strait of Hormuz/DOK Cpl. Manuel Estrada/USMarine Corps via Wikimedia Commons

JAKARTA - The South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the United States had never asked Seoul to send either troops or military equipment to the Strait of Hormuz.

Previously, South Korea's daily newspaper Dong-A Ilbo reported that the US asked for support from allies, including South Korea, by inviting them to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz to ensure freedom of navigation.

"There is no request from the US to send troops or specific equipment (to the Strait of Hormuz)," the statement said, quoted by Sputnik, Wednesday, July 22.

However, Seoul and Washington continue to discuss various issues, including those related to freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and South Korea's contribution to it, the South Korean Foreign Ministry said.

The ministry expressed concern over rising tensions in the Middle East, adding that they were closely monitoring the situation.

"International maritime security and freedom of navigation are the interests of all countries and must be protected under international law," the statement said.

Previously on March 14, US President Donald Trump called on China, France, Japan, South Korea, Britain and other countries to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz to secure navigation.

He warned NATO allies the alliance faces a "very bad future" if it fails to secure the strait.