(LEAD) Cheong Wa Dae says sufficient deliberations needed to handle Trump's request for Hormuz warships | Yonhap News Agency

## Summary
President Donald Trump's request for South Korea to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz is an issue that needs sufficient deliberation between Seoul and Washington, noting the government intends to handle it "very carefully." Lee Kyu-yeon, presidential secretary for public affairs and communications, made the remarks after Trump urged South Korea and four other countries in a social media post to send ships to the Strait of Hormuz against Iran's effective attempt to close the waterway. "This is an issue that should be decided after sufficient discussions between South Korea and the U.S. and with adequate time for deliberation, and I understand that the two sides remain in close communication," Lee said, casting a cautious stance on the issue. "We intend to handle this issue very carefully," he added. Lee Kyu-yeon, presidential secretary for public affairs and communications, speaks during a press briefing at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on March 16, 2026. (Pool photo) (Yonhap) ejkim@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles (News Focus) Iran crisis sharply weakens Korean won, fueling inflation, economic fallout concerns Dispatching warships to Hormuz requires parliamentary approval: PPP floor leader (LEAD) Trump says trip to China might be delayed, calls on Beijing to help unblock Hormuz Strait: report S. Korea weighs Trump's ship request with careful consideration Keywords #Hormuz #warship #Trump Articles with issue keywords Most Liked (News Focus) USFK's relocation of military assets to Middle East raises concerns about Seoul's capability to deter N.K. threats 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life BTS expands Gwanghwamun concert capacity to 22,000 with added standing zones (2nd LD) N. Korea holds parliamentary elections prev (LEAD) Cheong Wa Dae says sufficient deliberations needed to handle Trump's request for Hormuz warships Next (LEAD) Cheong Wa Dae says sufficient deliberations needed to handle Trump's request for Hormuz warships

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(ATTN: CHANGES headline, lead; MODIFIES paras 2-4)
By Kim Eun-jung
SEOUL, March 16 (Yonhap) -- Cheong Wa Dae said Monday that U.S. President Donald Trump's request for South Korea to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz is an issue that needs sufficient deliberation between Seoul and Washington, noting the government intends to handle it "very carefully."
Lee Kyu-yeon, presidential secretary for public affairs and communications, made the remarks after Trump urged South Korea and four other countries in a social media post to send ships to the Strait of Hormuz against Iran's effective attempt to close the waterway.
"This is an issue that should be decided after sufficient discussions between South Korea and the U.S. and with adequate time for deliberation, and I understand that the two sides remain in close communication," Lee said, casting a cautious stance on the issue.
"We intend to handle this issue very carefully," he added.
Asked whether Washington had made a formal request, Lee said Cheong Wa Dae is trying to determine the "exact intention" behind Trump's remarks and needs to confirm the U.S. government's official stance before making a decision.
On Sunday, Cheong Wa Dae said it would carefully weight how to respond to Trump's social media post, noting that the safety of international maritime routes and freedom of navigation are in the interest of all countries.
Lee Kyu-yeon, presidential secretary for public affairs and communications, speaks during a press briefing at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on March 16, 2026. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)
ejkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
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(LEAD) Cheong Wa Dae says sufficient deliberations needed to handle Trump's request for Hormuz warships

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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
- President Donald Trump's request for South Korea to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz is an issue that needs sufficient deliberation between Seoul and Washington, noting the government intends to handle it "very carefully." Lee Kyu-yeon, presidential secretary for public affairs and communications, made the remarks after Trump urged South Korea and four other countries in a social media post to send ships to the Strait of Hormuz against Iran's effective attempt to close the waterway. "This is an issue that should be decided after sufficient discussions between South Korea and the U.S. and with adequate time for deliberation, and I understand that the two sides remain in close communication," Lee said, casting a cautious stance on the issue. "We intend to handle this issue very carefully," he added.

### Areas for Consideration
- President Donald Trump's request for South Korea to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz is an issue that needs sufficient deliberation between Seoul and Washington, noting the government intends to handle it "very carefully." Lee Kyu-yeon, presidential secretary for public affairs and communications, made the remarks after Trump urged South Korea and four other countries in a social media post to send ships to the Strait of Hormuz against Iran's effective attempt to close the waterway. "This is an issue that should be decided after sufficient discussions between South Korea and the U.S. and with adequate time for deliberation, and I understand that the two sides remain in close communication," Lee said, casting a cautious stance on the issue. "We intend to handle this issue very carefully," he added.
- Korea weighs Trump's ship request with careful consideration Keywords #Hormuz #warship #Trump Articles with issue keywords Most Liked (News Focus) USFK's relocation of military assets to Middle East raises concerns about Seoul's capability to deter N.K. threats 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life BTS expands Gwanghwamun concert capacity to 22,000 with added standing zones (2nd LD) N.

### Implications
- OK (ATTN: CHANGES headline, lead; MODIFIES paras 2-4) By Kim Eun-jung SEOUL, March 16 (Yonhap) -- Cheong Wa Dae said Monday that U.S.
- President Donald Trump's request for South Korea to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz is an issue that needs sufficient deliberation between Seoul and Washington, noting the government intends to handle it "very carefully." Lee Kyu-yeon, presidential secretary for public affairs and communications, made the remarks after Trump urged South Korea and four other countries in a social media post to send ships to the Strait of Hormuz against Iran's effective attempt to close the waterway. "This is an issue that should be decided after sufficient discussions between South Korea and the U.S. and with adequate time for deliberation, and I understand that the two sides remain in close communication," Lee said, casting a cautious stance on the issue. "We intend to handle this issue very carefully," he added.
- Lee Kyu-yeon, presidential secretary for public affairs and communications, speaks during a press briefing at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on March 16, 2026. (Pool photo) (Yonhap) ejkim@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles (News Focus) Iran crisis sharply weakens Korean won, fueling inflation, economic fallout concerns Dispatching warships to Hormuz requires parliamentary approval: PPP floor leader (LEAD) Trump says trip to China might be delayed, calls on Beijing to help unblock Hormuz Strait: report S.
- Korea weighs Trump's ship request with careful consideration Keywords #Hormuz #warship #Trump Articles with issue keywords Most Liked (News Focus) USFK's relocation of military assets to Middle East raises concerns about Seoul's capability to deter N.K. threats 16th Gwangju Biennale: You must change your life BTS expands Gwanghwamun concert capacity to 22,000 with added standing zones (2nd LD) N.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers korea, trump, hormuz topics. Notable strengths include discussion of korea. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 586.