Wi Sung-lac, head of the Office of National Security at the Blue House, said on the 31st (local time) regarding Korea's contribution plan for the Strait of Hormuz, "Talks are underway between the United States and us, but the U.S. side is not specifically demanding anything and is holding talks to sound out the areas in which we can contribute."
At a briefing in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where President Lee Jae-myung is on an official visit, Wi said, "We are responding to the talks with the U.S. side while reviewing various possibilities internally."
Wi said, "The government alone cannot decide this, and we intend to build consensus, including with the National Assembly and public opinion, in accordance with the relevant legal procedures," adding that it is "a stage of reviewing various possibilities."
He added, "Freedom of navigation in Hormuz is an important interest in our economic security," and "We are reviewing feasible options for what we can do, with the view that we should actively participate in and contribute to that process."
On the attempt to shoot down a U.S. reconnaissance drone, launched by U.S. forces during a South Korea-U.S. joint exercise and mistaken by our military as an 'unidentified flying object,' Wi answered, "It was an issue we were aware of in terms of communication between the United States and us."
However, regarding the suspicion that a problem arose in communication at the working level, he said, "We need to look into it and weigh how far reporting is appropriate," adding, "If both sides are aware, there should be no problem with coordination and cooperation."