Washington is urging Seoul to support its naval blockade of Iran, while Tehran has issued threats regarding South Korea's potential involvement. Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei stated that Iran and South Korea have maintained over 64 years of diplomatic relations based on mutual respect, but warned of "serious consequences" if South Korea participates in military actions against Iran. Baghaei emphasized that any military presence in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz would be seen as support for the aggressor. In response, South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated it is in communication with the international community regarding the situation.
The pressure on Seoul intensified after US President Donald Trump requested assistance from South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in mid-August. Trump later revealed that he had asked for a "little hand" in the conflict with Iran, to which South Korea reportedly declined. Following this, Trump announced a significant reduction in joint military drills with South Korea, which are designed to prepare for potential North Korean aggression.
The Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises, typically lasting over 11 days, were cut to five days, with Trump citing their cost and the hostile signal they send to North Korea. South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun noted that there was no prior warning from the US regarding the drill reductions. Trump questioned South Korea's refusal to assist, given the presence of US troops in the country.
Despite the pressure, President Lee has opted for negotiation and dialogue with the US. A South Korean presidential official indicated that Seoul might consider military contributions to international efforts to ensure navigation safety in the Strait of Hormuz, provided it does not compromise national defense. The South Korean military is reviewing potential assets for deployment, including maritime patrol aircraft and explosive ordnance disposal teams.
However, any military involvement could face domestic opposition, with some members of Lee's ruling Democratic Party and the public expressing concerns about the US-Israel conflict. South Korea has historically been a close ally of the US, relying on American support for its defense against North Korea, while also participating in several US-led conflicts. Currently, South Korea is grappling with an economic crisis, heavily reliant on oil imports from the Gulf, which are being disrupted by the ongoing conflict, leading to inflation and a weakened currency. Under Korean law, any military deployment would require parliamentary approval, which may face challenges from within the governing party.