Ankara: South Korea on Wednesday denied receiving any new US request to deploy military assets in the Strait of Hormuz but said it was conducting a 'comprehensive review of ways to make practical contributions' to ensuring freedom of navigation.

According to Anadolu Agency, the denial followed media reports suggesting that Washington had asked Seoul to deploy a warship to the strategic waterway amid renewed tensions between the US and Iran over Hormuz. South Korean National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac also refuted these reports, confirming that there has not been any new request from the US regarding Hormuz, including any request to deploy a warship or take a particular action.

Seoul's clarification coincided with a meeting in Manila, where US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, alongside counterparts from India, Japan, and Australia, during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meetings. Rubio, when questioned about whether the US had requested South Korea and other Asian allies to contribute naval assets, stated: "We didn't ask them that today."

Rubio further noted that it would be beneficial for the region, emphasizing their dependency on oil and natural gas from that part of the world. He highlighted that while the US has had those conversations in the past, no specific requests were made at the Manila meeting.

The South Korean presidential office mentioned that Seoul is 'comprehensively reviewing ways to make practical contributions to ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.' This review considers various factors, including defense readiness on the Korean Peninsula and domestic legal procedures.

Rubio expressed optimism about potential future collaboration, stating, "It'd be great if they join the effort." He added that while some allies might eventually participate, no agreement was reached that day.