Archive · 18 Sep 2026
South Korea Rules Out Troops Amid Trump’s Iran War Pressure
South Korea says it will not send soldiers or military equipment into the war involving Iran.
President Lee Jae-myung said his country will not enter the fighting.
South Korea may still do limited work to help protect ships, oil shipments and its citizens.
The Strait of Hormuz is an important sea route affected by the conflict.
United States President Donald Trump wanted more support from South Korea and criticized Seoul.
The countries also reduced some major military exercises this summer.
Lee said Trump clearly wants to talk with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
Lee said South Korea is helping prepare for talks, but a meeting is still difficult and depends on several factors.
President Lee Jae-myung ruled out sending South Korean troops or military assets into the Iran war.
Seoul said it would protect merchant ships, crude shipments and citizens without entering the conflict.
South Korea is reviewing limited activities to safeguard navigation and shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
President Donald Trump criticized Seoul’s support, while major joint military exercises were scaled back this summer.
Lee said Trump wants talks with Kim Jong-un, but a meeting remains difficult; separate investment negotiations involve $350 billion.
- Who
- South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, United States President Donald Trump, and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
- What
- South Korea ruled out deploying troops or military assets to join the Iran war while considering limited maritime-safety activities.
- When
- Lee made the statements on Friday, September 18; related military, diplomatic and investment discussions are ongoing.
- Where
- The possible limited activities concern the Strait of Hormuz and West Asia; Lee spoke at the presidential Blue House.
- Why
- South Korea said it must protect commercial shipping, crude shipments and its citizens without abandoning its principle of non-involvement in the war.
South Korean Position
United States Pressure
Military involvement
South Korean Position
Lee said South Korea will not deploy troops or military assets to enter the Iran war, though Seoul may undertake limited activities to protect shipping and citizens.
United States Pressure
Trump has pressed South Korea for greater support for the Iran war and criticized what he considered insufficient assistance.
Alliance cooperation
South Korean Position
South Korea is maintaining its non-involvement principle and faces domestic opposition to deploying troops to the Strait of Hormuz.
United States Pressure
The United States scaled back major joint military exercises with South Korea after concerns about Seoul’s level of support.
Economic negotiations
South Korean Position
Lee said the $350 billion United States investment package remains complex because of concerns about its commercial viability, although the sides are close to agreement.
United States Pressure
Washington linked lower tariffs on Korean imports to South Korea’s planned investment in United States manufacturing.
- Military decision
- South Korea will not deploy troops or military assets in a way that involves entering the Iran war.
- Possible maritime role
- Seoul is reviewing limited activities to protect navigation, merchant ships, crude shipments and citizens.
- Existing mission
- South Korea maintains an anti-piracy presence off the coast of Somalia.
- United States response
- Donald Trump criticized Seoul’s support, and major joint military exercises were scaled back this summer.
- Investment commitment
- South Korea committed $350 billion to investment in United States manufacturing.
- Trade arrangement
- The investment commitment was linked to lowering tariffs on Korean imports to 15 percent.
- Potential North Korea talks
- Lee said Trump wants dialogue with Kim Jong-un, but a meeting remains difficult and is not certain.
