Dispatching warships to Hormuz requires parliamentary approval: PPP floor leader

▲ Rep. Song Eon-seog, floor leader of the main opposition People Power Party (Yonhap)

opposition party-Hormuz Strait

Dispatching warships to Hormuz requires parliamentary approval: PPP floor leader

By Yi Wonju

SEOUL, March 16 (Yonhap) -- The floor leader of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) said Monday any decision to dispatch South Korea's warships to the Strait of Hormuz would require parliamentary approval, as U.S. President Donald Trump called on countries to send ships to the crucial oil shipping route in the Gulf region.

The remarks by Rep. Song Eon-seog of the PPP came as Trump called on South Korea and other countries affected by Iran's attempt to close the Strait of Hormuz to send ships to keep the strait "open and safe" on Saturday amid growing concerns over disruptions to shipping along the waterway.

"The issue of deploying our military to a region with a high possibility of involvement in combat would be a grave decision," Song said during the party's supreme council meeting. "This is a matter that requires the National Assembly's approval in accordance with the Constitution and relevant laws."

He also said the issue of deploying the Cheonghae naval unit, currently operating in the Gulf of Aden for anti-piracy operations, to the Strait of Hormuz would require parliamentary approval, stressing that it would effectively change the original purpose of the unit's deployment.

Earlier on Sunday, Cheong Wa Dae said it will carefully deliberate its response to Trump's request.

(END)

(C) Yonhap News Agency. All Rights Reserved