South Korea says it won't deploy military for U.S. war in Iran

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said on Sept. 18, 2026, South Korea will not deploy forces to the Middle East for the U.S. war in Iran. "There won't be deployment that would involve or enter war," he said. Seoul is weighing a Hormuz shipping-protection role instead, after Trump criticized its support and scaled back joint drills.