Opposition Grows Against Potential Deployment to Hormuz Strait

Amid public pressure from President Donald Trump, the South Korean government is considering a military deployment to the Hormuz Strait, prompting dissent within the ruling party. The Democratic Party of Korea, along with the Justice Party and other progressive factions, has openly opposed the potential deployment.

On September 4, Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Gi-heon expressed his concerns on Facebook, stating, "President Trump has shown dissatisfaction for not assisting in military operations against Iran and has made aggressive gestures implying economic pressure. I regret the attitude of using allies as tools of coercion." He added, "No matter the justification, the deployment of our military to the Hormuz Strait is unacceptable. Even if labeled as non-combat troops, it is essentially participation in war. We cannot send our citizens and military into an uncertain war initiated by the U.S."

The Democratic Party is maintaining a cautious stance, citing that the government has not yet finalized its position. Chief Spokesperson Park Sung-jun remarked after a budget policy meeting in Hongseong, "Such matters should be thoroughly discussed within the standing committee, so it would be good to first consider the opinions from the National Defense Committee."

This cautious approach is seen as a response to the trauma from the past Iraq deployment. During the vote on the Iraq deployment agreement under the Roh Moo-hyun administration, the ruling party was deeply divided, with 49 in favor and 43 against.

Additionally, the opposition from progressive parties within the ruling coalition adds pressure on the government. Justice Party floor leader Kim Jun-hyung questioned, "Why should South Korea consider deploying troops for this illegal invasion war? Even the Yoon Suk-yeol administration has not openly deployed troops for the Ukraine war."

The head of the Justice Party's policy research institute also posted on Facebook, citing Article 5, Section 1 of the South Korean Constitution: "The Republic of Korea denies aggressive wars."

Progressive Party lawmaker Jeong Hye-kyung stated, "What President Lee Jae-myung should do now is not to participate in the Hormuz conflict but to work towards stopping the war," emphasizing that power cannot be wielded above the Constitution.

The Justice Party also issued a statement asserting, "There is no peace that comes through war," urging the Lee Jae-myung administration not to turn South Korea into a war villain.