South Korea declines to deploy military forces to support United States Iran operation

South Korea has refused a U.S. request to send troops to the Strait of Hormuz. President Trump asked South Korean President Lee Jae Myung by phone in mid-August 2026 to support American military operations against Iran. Trump later shared the request on social media. South Korea said it will not send soldiers, but it may send a search and rescue unit instead. Protesters gathered near the U.S. Embassy in Seoul and argued that sending troops would break South Korea's constitutional commitment to peace. Iran warned that it would treat any South Korean military involvement as taking America's side. The U.S. has not said whether a smaller contribution would be enough for Trump.