Seoul Needs a Playbook for Hormuz, Ukraine, and What Comes Next

AI Summary

South Korea is facing unprecedented pressure from the U.S. to deploy its Cheongung-II air-defense system to Ukraine and to send troops to the Strait of Hormuz amidst ongoing conflicts involving Iran and Russia. The article suggests South Korea needs a strategic playbook to navigate these simultaneous geopolitical challenges.

Earlier this month, President Donald Trump shared a Washington Post opinion piece on his social media, arguing that South Korea should send its Cheongung-II air-defense system to Ukraine. Additionally, the Trump administration continues to pressure Seoul to send troops to the Strait of Hormuz. Neither the U.S.-Iranian conflict nor the Russo-Ukrainian War is new, yet the simultaneity of U.S. pressure on Seoul to help in its war with Iran and to support Ukraine is striking.While such diverging asks are indeed unprecedented, this is partly due to a lack of principles that stipulate a clear South Korean position. South Korea should The post Seoul Needs a Playbook for Hormuz, Ukraine, and What Comes Next appeared first on War on the Rocks.