[Editorial] Deployment to the Strait of Hormuz Must Be Weighed Carefully in Light of National Interest and Principles

United States of America (US) President Donald Trump has publicly called on five major countries, including South Korea, to dispatch naval vessels to the Strait of Hormuz. His plan is to form a multinational escort fleet to normalize ship traffic through the strait, which is effectively under blockade by the Islamic Republic of Iran.
It is not a simple matter that the US, which is leading the war with the Islamic Republic of Iran, is asking other countries to send warships. Unlike Trump’s boast that the conflict could be wrapped up quickly, this can be read as a sign that the war may drag on. More serious still, once other countries become de facto participants in this war, it ceases to be someone else’s problem and turns into a direct foreign policy and security issue for South Korea. Even though there has been no formal request from President Trump yet, discussions on dispatching naval vessels are likely to become a real issue before long. The government and the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea must start soberly weighing the gains and losses now.
First, it should be noted that this demand is not an issue for South Korea alone. All five countries mentioned by President Trump face their own dilemmas.
China, which is preparing for a summit with the US, would have to give up a bargaining chip in trade and security talks if it refuses Washington’s request. On the other hand, if it accepts Trump’s demand, it will inevitably strain relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran, a friendly nation that has supplied it with stable oil shipments. In Japan as well, there is an internal debate over which choice best serves the country’s interests. In essence, each country finds it hard to turn down a request from a powerful state like the US, yet is also reluctant to jump rashly into the vortex of war. South Korea should therefore closely monitor how other countries respond, while pursuing a foreign and security policy that maximizes practical benefits.
The question of international legal legitimacy surrounding this war must also be examined. Opinions in the international community are divided over whether the attacks by the US and Israel on the Islamic Republic of Iran fall within the lawful scope of self‐defense. Moreover, even if South Korea decides to send forces, domestic procedures must be followed. If the Cheonghae Unit is to be dispatched as part of a multinational force, as is now being discussed, a separate approval and ratification by the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea would be required, unlike in the independent deployment in 2020. If the legal basis for deployment is not scrutinized carefully, it could become a long‐lasting political burden.
A difficult challenge lies before us, but this issue cannot be reduced to a simple choice between dispatching troops or refusing to do so. If the war between the US and the Islamic Republic of Iran becomes protracted, the question of additional involvement by other countries will inevitably arise. The way the Trump administration demands greater defense burden‐sharing from its allies could surface in various forms going forward. The Strait of Hormuz is a strategic chokepoint through which 20 percent of the world’s crude oil passes. If the strait remains blocked and the war drags on, South Korea’s economy—highly dependent on energy imports and exports of manufactured goods—will be hit directly.
Ultimately, this is not the time for the South Korean government and the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea to view President Trump’s request merely as a yes‐or‐no decision on deployment. Instead, amid the rapidly changing situation in the Middle East, they must engage in fundamental reflection and craft policy alternatives on what principles and strategies South Korea will use to safeguard its national interests. In this process, there can be no division between ruling and opposition parties. Even with local elections approaching, both sides should set aside immediate political strife, put national interest first, and reach a prudent and wise decision. Now more than ever, South Korea must mobilize its diverse overseas human networks and work to identify the best possible options that serve the country’s interests.