President Lee Jae Myung of South Korea firmly rejected any military involvement in the Middle East conflict on Friday. His comments followed repeated pressure from the Trump administration, which had demanded Seoul provide "a little hand" in the war against Iran. Lee emphasized that South Korea would not deploy troops or military assets to support the U.S.-led effort. Instead, he noted Seoul is considering expanding the operational scope of a navy destroyer currently off the coast of Somalia for antipiracy operations, stating their focus would remain on protecting commercial vessels.

The diplomatic tension highlights a broader strain in the U.S.-South Korea relationship. President Trump has publicly taunted Lee over Seoul's refusal to defend the Strait of Hormuz, reminding him of the U.S. military presence protecting South Korea from North Korea. Trump quipped that Lee's refusal prompted the question: "Why are we involved in helping you?"

Domestically, Lee's approval rating has fallen to a new low of 37 percent. His administration faces criticism over rising housing costs and stalled reforms. The opposition has accused him of seeking a constitutional amendment for a second term, which Lee denied intending to pursue. His presidency also remains marred by suspended criminal trials on charges including violating election laws.

While Trump recently scaled down joint military exercises, calling them "costly" and "inappropriate," Lee maintains that even if naval assets move closer to the Red Sea, they will not participate in operations supporting the war against Iran.