"Dispatched Fact-Finding Team to Middle East"... Denies 'US Request for November Deadline'

[Anchor]

The Ministry of National Defense has announced that it has dispatched a fact-finding team to the Middle East regarding the potential deployment of troops to the Strait of Hormuz. Regarding some reports that the United States requested a troop deployment by this coming November ahead of the midterm elections, the Ministry of National Defense denied them, stating they are "not true."

Reporter Kim Jeongyun has the details.

[Reporter]

The Ministry of National Defense stated that it dispatched a fact-finding team to assess the local situation and safety conditions in the Strait of Hormuz.

The fact-finding team departed for the United Arab Emirates last weekend and is reportedly scheduled to return as early as this week.

Because the United Arab Emirates houses a base used by the U.S. military, it could serve as a prominent hub if South Korea decides to dispatch patrol aircraft or other assets.

However, the Ministry of National Defense emphasized that "nothing has been decided regarding troop deployment."

It explained that while the fact-finding team was sent to the Middle East to help inform a decision on troop deployment, a deployment to the Strait of Hormuz has not been finalized.

At the same time, the Ministry of National Defense denied media reports claiming that the Trump administration asked the South Korean government to deploy troops by November, ahead of the U.S. midterm elections, calling them untrue.

The findings of the Middle East fact-finding team will be reported to the National Security Council (NSC). Full-scale discussions regarding whether to deploy troops are expected to take place after President Lee Jae-myung, who is currently visiting France, returns to South Korea.

Regarding the government's response strategy to the U.S. deployment request, a high-ranking Cheong Wa Dae official stated, "The broad direction on how to handle international cooperation is set, but details are still under review, and nothing has been finalized."

The official also drew a line regarding the Ministry of National Defense's fact-finding team, stating it should be viewed as "part of the review process" and that it does not mean a deployment has been decided or presupposed.

When asked whether a deployment proposal could be discussed at the National Security Council Standing Committee meeting on the 17th, the official responded, "Since nothing has been decided, it is difficult to share a schedule."

(Video Editing: Jang Hyun-ki)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.