Both Ruling and Opposition Parties Urge Caution on Deploying Warships to Hormuz

Constitution Requires National Assembly Approval
for Overseas Deployment of South Korean Troops

In response to U.S. President Donald Trump's request for five countries, including South Korea, to dispatch warships to the Strait of Hormuz, both the ruling and opposition parties in South Korea are expressing caution.

According to political circles on March 16, the ruling Democratic Party of Korea is refraining from making an official statement regarding troop deployment and is approaching the issue with caution.

Byungjoo Kim, a member of the Democratic Party, appeared on MBC Radio's "Kim Jongbae's Focus" that day and stated, "We need to consider the complex political situation in the Middle East, our relationship with Iran, the South Korea-U.S. alliance, the protection of our merchant ships, and the safety of deployed troops. Since participating rashly could be dangerous, we must comprehensively review multiple factors."

On the 16th, participants placed "NO" stickers on signs that read "Demand for Deployment to the Strait of Hormuz" at the urgent press conference condemning the US demand for deployment to the Strait of Hormuz and opposing the deployment held in front of the US Embassy in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

Regarding the possibility of the Cheonghae Unit being dispatched to the Strait of Hormuz, Assemblyman Kim said, "As joining the multinational force could mean being perceived as a hostile nation, a prudent approach is necessary." "Since this is a wartime situation involving participation in a multinational force, legal review is required, but I believe that obtaining approval from the National Assembly is the correct procedure."

According to the Constitution, overseas troop deployments by the South Korean military are based on the South Korea-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty and require approval from the National Assembly.

The People Power Party has emphasized the need for the National Assembly's approval process and has sought to check the possibility of a unilateral decision by the government. Eonseok Song, floor leader of the People Power Party, said at the Supreme Council meeting held that day, "Since deploying our military is a significant decision, it appears that approval from the National Assembly is certainly required under the Constitution and the law." He stressed, "Because this is a matter of soldiers' lives and safety, the government must fully consult and respond based on consensus with the National Assembly."

Junhyung Kim, the policy chief of the Rebuilding Korea Party and former president of the Korea National Diplomatic Academy during the Moon Jae-in administration, said at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the same day, "This war is a labyrinth with no justification, no objectives, and no exit," adding, "Not only does international law, but also our Constitution, clearly reject 'wars of aggression,' and this action also violates the South Korea-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty. Therefore, the Lee Jaemyung administration must not send even a single warship to the Strait of Hormuz."

Junhyung Kim also criticized the U.S. request for troop deployment, saying, "While the U.S. carries out air operations from behind monitors, they are trying to shift the real dangerous burden onto their allies." He further pointed out, "In particular, the movement of strategic assets of U.S. Forces Korea and the deployment of the U.S. amphibious assault ship 'Tripoli' and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, totaling 5,000 personnel, to the Middle East is an ominous sign that the war could be prolonged."

The Progressive Party also expressed its opposition to the deployment. Jaeyeon Kim, standing representative, strongly condemned President Trump's request, stating, "This is a dangerous attempt to justify unilateral military action by using the alliance as a shield."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.