South Koreans protest possible Hormuz troop deployment

Dozens of South Koreans protested in Seoul on Wednesday against a possible troop deployment to the Strait of Hormuz, as the government considers whether to contribute to US-backed security efforts in the waterway.

About 60 protesters, according to an AFP estimate, gathered near the US embassy compound and the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts. They held signs opposing participation in what they called a war of aggression and chanted against sending South Korean troops.

The protest came a day after South Korean defence authorities said they had sent a fact-finding mission to assess conditions in Hormuz, while stressing that no decision had been made on any deployment. South Korea said Friday it was considering contributions to US security efforts along the strait if its own military readiness was not compromised.

US President Donald Trump has pressed South Korea to help in the Middle East war. Iran has warned that any South Korean deployment would be regarded as direct support for the side it accuses of aggression and would have serious consequences.

Jung Kyung-jik of People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy told AFP that deploying South Korean troops would amount to direct participation in an illegal war. Choi Young-ok of Korean Peace Solidarity for Sovereignty and Reunification said a deployment would inevitably lead to casualties.

Any deployment of South Korean armed forces to the strait would require majority approval in the National Assembly.