Key facts
- President Lee Jae Myung said South Korea will not dispatch troops that could lead to involvement in an overseas conflict.
- Lee stated the country needs to conduct minimal activities to safeguard nationals or crude oil transportation routes.
- South Korea's Cheonghae military unit has expanded its mission scope in the area.
- President Lee Jae Myung reaffirmed he has no intention of seeking reelection.
- Lee's approval ratings have declined to the mid-30 percent range.
SEOUL, Sept. 18 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung on Friday emphasized that South Korea will not dispatch troops that could lead to involvement in overseas conflicts, despite the nation's need to protect its citizens and national interests, particularly in strategic areas like the Strait of Hormuz.
"Let it be clear. There will be no dispatch of troops that will lead to involvement in a conflict. There will be no engagement or involvement in war," Lee said during a televised press conference.
He added that the country must conduct "the minimum level of activities" to safeguard its nationals or the transportation route for crude oil in the region, a practice he noted is also undertaken by other countries. Lee mentioned that South Korea's Cheonghae military unit has expanded its mission scope for relevant activities in the area and that measures to strengthen these efforts are under review.
On domestic matters, President Lee reiterated his lack of intention to seek reelection, citing a constitutional clause that prevents a president in office at the time of a revision from benefiting from such changes. His remarks came amid repeated calls from the opposition for him to declare his intentions.
The press conference, announced three days prior, was the president's seventh since taking office in June 2025, but was considered rare as most previous ones were held on special occasions. The event follows a decline in Lee's approval ratings to the mid-30 percent range in recent weeks, particularly among young voters.