15.03.2026 19:21
As the war between the US and Israel and the tensions in the Strait of Hormuz continue, two Asian countries made noteworthy statements in succession. South Korea and Japan stated that they would "carefully evaluate" the issue after US President Donald Trump suggested that many countries would send warships to the region to ensure the Strait of Hormuz remains open and secure.
US President Donald Trump, who claimed that many countries would send warships to the region to ensure the Strait of Hormuz, which has been closed to transit by Iran, remains open and secure, did not find the response he expected from the world countries.
SOUTH KOREA SIGNALS "CAUTIOUS EVALUATION"
According to Yonhap's report, a spokesperson from the South Korean Presidential Office, whose name was not disclosed, made a statement regarding Trump's remarks. The spokesperson emphasized that they were aware of Trump's social media post, stating that "the security of international shipping routes and the freedom of navigation are in the interest of all countries protected by international law." The spokesperson mentioned that Trump's request would be "carefully evaluated" and noted that they "hope for a rapid normalization of the global maritime logistics network."
JAPAN'S MESSAGE OF "EXTREMELY DIFFICULT THRESHOLD TO OVERCOME"
According to a report by Kyodo News, Kobayashi Takayuki, the policy chief of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), made a statement on the subject during a program he participated in on the local NHK channel. Kobayashi expressed that Japan sending ships to the Strait of Hormuz is "an extremely difficult threshold to overcome," stating that "they will not rule out this possibility legally," but according to the current situation, it is a matter that needs to be handled with care.
TRUMP'S "HORMUZ" STATEMENT
On March 14, Trump stated that many countries would send warships to the region to ensure the Strait of Hormuz remains open and secure, saying: "We hope that China, France, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and other countries affected by this artificial restriction will send ships to the region. Thus, the Strait of Hormuz will no longer be a threat posed by a nation (Iran) whose military power has been completely paralyzed."