Ahn Chang-ho, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), said, "We express concern about the recent situation in which the government is considering dispatching our military to the Strait of Hormuz."
Chairperson Ahn said in a statement on the 10th, "War and armed conflict destroy the lives, safety, and daily routines of not only soldiers but also innocent civilians, and broadly threaten human dignity and fundamental rights," and stated accordingly.
The government is reviewing a troop dispatch, considering that a significant share of crude oil imported domestically passes through the Strait of Hormuz and that an unarmed national-flag vessel transiting the area was attacked.
Chairperson Ahn said, "The state has a duty to consider necessary responses to protect the lives and property of the people from external threats and to secure the safe passage of our vessels," but added, "If our military is sent to an area where armed conflict is ongoing, new risks to the lives and safety of deployed service members and our people may arise, regardless of the nature of the mission, and this must be kept in mind."
Chairperson Ahn also emphasized that in 2003, during the Iraq War troop deployment, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) noted that the government and the National Assembly needed to consider the principles of anti-war, peace, and human rights.
Ahn said, "We ask the government and the National Assembly to prioritize seeking dialogue and diplomatic solutions to ease tensions rather than military responses," adding, "We hope the Republic of Korea becomes a nation that takes the lead in safeguarding international peace and human life and dignity."