South Korea Rejects U.S. Troop Request for Iran War as Lee Approval Falls to 37%
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Sep 18
South Korea Rejects U.S. Troop Request for Iran War as Lee Approval Falls to 37%
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Sep 18
Summary
President Lee Jae Myung said South Korea will send no troops or military assets to the U.S.-led war against Iran, publicly ruling out any combat role after weeks of pressure from Washington.
Instead, Seoul is weighing a limited expansion for a navy destroyer and support ships now on anti-piracy duty off Somalia, with any move toward the Red Sea or Strait of Hormuz restricted to protecting South Korean tankers and other commercial vessels.
Trump had said last month he asked Lee to “give us a little hand” and linked Seoul’s refusal to the U.S. troop presence defending South Korea from North Korea.
Lee made the announcement as strains with Washington deepen and his approval rating slid to a new low of 37% just 15 months into his five-year term.