Yi Whan-woo is a Korea Times journalist primarily covering finance. He writes in-depth articles on macroeconomy and financial markets and previously covered sports, politics, diplomacy and inter-Korean affairs, among others. Feel free to contact him at yistory@koreatimes.co.kr.
Trump's request tests Lee on alliance commitment, Middle East ties
President Lee Jae Myung delivers an address during a ceremony for the 66th anniversary of the March 15 Uprising — a 1960 pro-democracy movement in southeastern Korea — in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, Sunday. Joint Press Corps
By Yi Whan-woo
US penalty expected if South Korea decides not to deploy warships to Strait of Hormuz, experts say
President Lee Jae Myung faces a challenge posed by U.S. President Donald Trump’s request to deploy warships to the Strait of Hormuz, as he seeks to balance South Korea’s commitment to the U.S. alliance while maintaining stable relations with countries in the Middle East.
Analysts said Monday that rejecting the request could strain the alliance, a central tenet of Lee’s foreign policy, by aggravating Trump’s dissatisfaction with Seoul.
Trump included South Korea among five countries — alongside China, France, Japan and the United Kingdom — in a social media post, Saturday (local time), asking them to send warships in support of a U.S.-led effort to secure the strait.
He intensified pressure, saying Sunday (local time) in a separate message to allies, “Whether we get support or not, I can say this — and I said it to them: we will remember.”
Iran has effectively blockaded the vital Gulf shipping route amid a widening conflict with the U.S. and Israel since Feb. 28.
Analysts warned that Trump could use the request as leverage to accelerate the repositioning of U.S. assets — including the Patriot and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) systems — from South Korea to the Middle East.
Accepting the request would not resolve the underlying challenge, either, as it could cause friction with Iran and other involved parties, running counter to Lee’s pragmatism-centered foreign policy.
Cheong Wa Dae said Monday that it “intends to handle the U.S. request for a coalition with great caution,” adding, “We must have sufficient time for discussions with the U.S. before making any decisions.”
Civic activists protest against U.S. President Donald Trump’s call for allies to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz during a press conference in front of the U.S. Embassy in Seoul’s Jongno District, Monday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul
“The request indeed presents a significant challenge for South Korea, and if a multinational military command is established as Trump envisions, South Korea’s absence could naturally result in disadvantages imposed by the U.S.,” said Park Won-gon, a professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University.
“For South Korea, refraining from participating in reopening the shipping route could revive the controversy over a ‘free ride’ on the U.S. security umbrella,” Park added, pointing to Trump’s dissatisfaction with Seoul’s defense cost sharing during his first term in office.
“Trump might use a range of tools — economic, security and more — as bargaining chips to press Seoul.”
He cited Washington’s use of Section 301 of the Trade Act, which allows the U.S. to impose unlimited tariffs against “unfair” trade practices, amid the protracted tariff row. Cooperation concerning nuclear-powered submarines, nuclear energy development and shipbuilding could also be affected, according to the professor.
With regard to security on the Korean Peninsula, Yang Moo-jin, former president of the University of North Korean Studies, said the U.S. could accelerate the reshuffling of its defense assets from South Korea to the Middle East.
“The measures could take place in the name of alliance modernization while threats from North Korea persist,” said Yang, referring to South Korea’s strengthened responsibilities in responding to the North Korean threat, while U.S. Forces Korea might increasingly focus on broader regional actions to deter China.
Asked about the best option if South Korea were to send warships, Park suggested dispatching a destroyer from the Korean Peninsula all the way to the Gulf, instead of redeploying the Cheonghae Unit already in the Middle East.
The anti-piracy force conducts maritime security operations in the Gulf of Aden off Yemen and has been considered a viable option given its proximity to the Strait of Hormuz and operational circumstances.
“Given the president’s pragmatism-driven diplomacy, it is crucial for us to buy as much time as possible with regard to Seoul-Tehran relations,” the professor said.
“Accordingly, sending a destroyer stationed here would be better than redeploying the Cheonghae Unit, since it would take longer to arrive. Moreover, securing National Assembly approval and preparing a ship for deployment would take an additional one to two months.”