Seoul reviewing Trump call for naval mission in Strait of Hormuz

March 16 (Asia Today) -- South Korea's presidential office said Sunday that any decision on sending naval forces to the Strait of Hormuz should be made only after thorough consultations with the United States.

The comments came after a report by The Wall Street Journal said the White House could announce the formation of a multinational coalition as early as this week to escort ships traveling through the strategic waterway.

Lee Kyu-yeon, senior presidential secretary for public relations and communication, said the issue requires careful review and further discussion between Seoul and Washington.

"This is a matter that must be decided after sufficient time and thorough consultations between South Korea and the United States," Lee said during a briefing at the presidential press center.

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Lee added that the two sides are currently communicating through unofficial channels to verify the details of the report and understand the intent behind the media coverage.

"We are looking into the situation and examining why such reports are appearing in foreign media," he said.

A presidential office official said the two governments have not yet entered a stage of formal consultations.

Officials suggested that Seoul is first trying to determine Washington's intentions, since no official request has been made beyond comments posted by Donald Trump on the social media platform Truth Social.

The presidential office said Saturday that it was closely monitoring Trump's remarks and would make a decision after careful review while maintaining communication with Washington.

On Friday, Trump wrote on Truth Social that countries affected by tensions in the Strait of Hormuz should consider dispatching naval vessels to help protect maritime traffic.

"I hope China, France, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom and other nations affected by the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz will send ships," Trump wrote.

The Strait of Hormuz is a vital maritime chokepoint through which roughly one-fifth of global oil shipments pass.

-- Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI

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Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260316010004739