Trump Asks South Korea for Warships in Hormuz, Testing Key Alliance

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung faces a major diplomatic test. A request from former U.S. President Donald Trump has created a serious dilemma. According to sources, Trump asked South Korea to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz. This strategic waterway is a major global oil shipping route near Iran. President Lee must now make a careful choice. He wants to keep the military alliance with the United States strong. However, he also wants to avoid South Korea being pulled into a possible long-term conflict with Iran. The request puts the South Korea-U.S. relationship under new pressure. It forces Seoul to balance its alliance duties with its own national security interests. Analysts say the decision could define Lee’s foreign policy. South Korea has traditionally tried to stay out of Middle Eastern conflicts. Sending naval forces would be a significant change.