"Cheong Wa Dae Denies Reports of Decision to Send Troops to Strait of Hormuz, Citing Ongoing Consultations"
According to Yonhap News Agency and other media reports, South Korea's presidential office Cheong Wa Dae denied on September 3 media reports that "the South Korean government has basically decided to send troops to the Strait of Hormuz." Reports said a South Korean media outlet reported earlier that day that the South Korean government had basically decided to send troops to the Strait of Hormuz and was reviewing a plan to submit a proposal for parliamentary consent to the deployment. Reports said Cheong Wa Dae issued a statement that day saying the relevant reports were inconsistent with the facts and that the matter had not yet been decided. Cheong Wa Dae said South Korea has always maintained close communication with the international community to promote the early restoration of freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and maintain peace and stability in the Middle East. The reports noted that US President Trump has repeatedly criticized South Korea for refusing requests to send troops to the Strait of Hormuz to help ensure the security of the strait, saying South Korean President Lee Jae-myung once responded "no, thank you" to his request for South Korea to join US military action against Iran.