Foreign ministry says Hormuz talks focus on navigation, energy security over US ties

Discussions over Korea's potential role in securing the Strait of Hormuz are focused on safe navigation, energy security and the safety of nationals, rather than its relations with the United States, a senior foreign ministry official said Thursday. The Seoul government has been weighing whether to deploy military assets to the crucial waterway amid pressure from the Donald Trump administration for Seoul to make a contribution. "The government is looking at the issue basically not from the perspective of Korea-U.S. relations, but in terms of ensuring safe navigation, the security of energy supply routes and the safety of our people," First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo told the National Assembly's foreign affairs and unification committee. Addressing the widespread use of the term "deployment" in Korea, Park said the government has been in close talks with the international community on how to make a "contribution" to restoring stability in the region. Media reports have said assets under consideration for possible deployment included maritime patrol aircraft, explosive ordnance di