- Title: South Korea to decide any Hormuz deployment according to law, says minister
- Date: 17th March 2026
- Summary: ISTANBUL, TURKEY (MARCH 18, 2026) (REUTERS) (NIGHT SHOTS) (SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) RETIRED ISTANBUL RESIDENT, 66, GULSEREN ARI, SAYING: "This has been going on for 23 years, 25 years, enough of the oppression that they have inflicted on us. We are now saying no. This is no longer just an (Ekrem) Imamoglu issue. Anyone who opens their mouth to say something is immediately thro
- Embargoed:
- Keywords: Cheonghae unit Cho Hyun Hormuz Iran South Korea crisis foriegn minister parliament session
- Location: SEOUL, JINHAE, SOUTH KOREA
- City: SEOUL, JINHAE, SOUTH KOREA
- Country: South Korea
- Topics: Asia / Pacific,Conflicts/War/Peace,International/National Security
- Reuters ID: LVA002466717032026RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:South Korea's foreign minister said on Tuesday (March 17) the government would respond to any request from the United States in accordance with the constitution and domestic law, as lawmakers asked him over whether Seoul might send a naval vessel to the Strait of Hormuz.
Foreign Minister Cho Hyun declined to say whether Washington had asked South Korea to deploy a naval ship to the strait, despite intense questioning by members of parliament, some of whom suggested such a move could breach domestic laws.
"As we make a decision, I assure you we will act according to the constitution and the law," Cho told a parliament committee hearing.
U.S. President Donald Trump has accused some Western allies of ingratitude after several countries rebuffed his demand to send warships to escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz,which carries 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas. The closure of the strait has spiked energy prices and sparked fears of inflation around the world.
South Korea has said it would carefully consider Trump's call for countries, which in Asia include South Korea, Japan and China, to deploy navy ships to the Middle East to form a coalition to ensure safe passage through the waterway.
(Production: Yunji Ha, Heejung Jung) - Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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