Deputy Defense Minister: "Under Review Considering National Interests"

"On-Site Inspection Team Dispatched to the Middle East... Currently Assessing and Reviewing the Overall Situation"

Lee Doohee, Vice Minister of National Defense, stated on September 10 that the government is reviewing the potential deployment to the Hormuz Strait as requested by the United States.

Lee Doohee, Vice Minister of National Defense, is responding to a question from Lee Kwangjae, a member of the Democratic Party, during the 6th plenary session of the 439th regular meeting at the National Assembly on the 10th, regarding foreign affairs, unification, and security. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

During a government inquiry session at the National Assembly on this day, Lee responded to a question from Yoo Yongwon, a member of the People Power Party, regarding whether the government is preparing to submit a deployment consent bill to the National Assembly. Lee said, "No decision has been made yet," and added, "There are common interests for all nations when it comes to freedom of navigation and the safety of international routes. At the national level, we are reviewing the matter, taking into comprehensive consideration the safety of the people and the country’s economic interests." Regarding the Ministry of National Defense’s on-site investigation team, which was dispatched to the Middle East to assess the conditions for deployment to the Hormuz Strait, he confirmed, "It is true that the investigation team went to the Middle East."

However, he requested, "Please understand that the visit by the on-site investigation team is not based on the premise of deployment, nor is it a preparation for deployment, but rather it is a stage to evaluate and review the overall situation." In response to Representative Yoo’s point that parliamentary approval must be obtained if a decision to deploy is made, Lee agreed, saying, "National consensus and consent from the National Assembly according to domestic procedures are necessary." Regarding predictions that the United States may request deployment before the mid-term elections in November, he refrained from giving a direct answer, stating, "Rather than considering such factors, we are approaching and reviewing the matter from the perspective of public safety and the national interest."

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