South Korea's potential contribution to international efforts to keep maritime traffic flowing through the Strait of Hormuz is being discussed in talks with France, the United Kingdom and the United States.
An official from the Office of the President of South Korea said the country wanted to play a role in keeping the strait open to navigation after it came close to shutting down following renewed clashes between the United States and Iran. The official said Seoul was holding talks with the three countries as part of those efforts.
Decision will be based on national interests and public consensus
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and French President Emmanuel Macron held two hours of talks in Paris on Tuesday. Lee said any contribution to the Strait of Hormuz should be determined by South Korea's national interests and public consensus, rather than external pressure.
The two leaders discussed options for South Korea's contribution to international efforts to protect security and freedom of navigation in the strait.
Form of military contribution has not yet been determined
An official from the Office of the President said the Paris meeting did not mean that a decision had been made to send troops to the Strait of Hormuz. The official said the form of South Korea's contribution had not yet been finalized and that combat and non-combat options had not been discussed in detail.