At the National Assembly interpellation on foreign affairs, unification, and security, the issue of deploying troops to the Hormuz Strait came under scrutiny. Lawmakers from both parties leaned toward caution, and the government also said no decision had been made on a deployment.
Prime Minister Han Seong-sook, when asked on the 10th during the interpellation about a potential Hormuz deployment, answered that "no decision has been made on ways to make a practical contribution."
Han said, "Because freedom of navigation and the crude oil secured via the Hormuz Strait, as well as the global supply chain, are important, we are looking at this from multiple angles," adding, "We are reviewing several scenarios."
When Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Lee Kwang-jae expressed concern about an energy crisis, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Park Yun-ju said, "We are consulting with relevant ministries on alternative supply lines, reserves, and issues such as the exchange of stockpiled quantities between countries." Park also said talks are underway with Japan on securing energy supplies and exchanging stockpiles.
Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Byung-ju also said, "We must protect our oil tankers and energy security, but if troops are deployed, it will be hard to guarantee the safety of service members and tankers, and we must consider the possibility of being drawn into war," adding, "We must not be dragged in just because the United States asks."
People Power Party lawmaker Kim Seok-ki also said, "Our economy has suffered severe damage from the recent Iran war and the Hormuz Strait situation, and if the Taiwan Strait is also blockaded due to a Chinese invasion of Taiwan and U.S. involvement, much more direct damage could occur," adding, "The government must prepare concrete and practical response plans starting now."
In response to a question from People Power Party lawmaker Yu Yong-weon about whether the government is preparing to submit a motion to the National Assembly seeking consent for troop deployment, Vice Minister of the Ministry of National Defense Lee Doo-hee said, "No decision has been made yet." Lee said, "There are shared aspects related to all countries' interests, such as freedom of navigation and the safety of international sea lanes," adding, "At the national level, we are in the stage of reviewing the matter by comprehensively considering public safety and the nation's economic interests."
Lee acknowledged that an on-site inspection team from the Ministry of National Defense did go to the Middle East to assess conditions for a possible Hormuz deployment, and said, "Please understand the visit by the inspection team not as premised on a deployment or as preparation for one, but as a step to assess and review the overall situation."