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Iran Tensions May Prompt S. Korea to Rethink US-led Patrols

William Gallo

   SEOUL - The escalating U.S.-Iran conflict is complicating South Korea's
   possible participation in a U.S.-led maritime coalition to protect
   international shipping in and near the Strait of Hormuz.

   There are increasing calls in South Korea for the government to reject,
   or at least rethink, U.S. requests to join the force, amid fears South
   Koreans could get caught up in the violence.

   The conflict escalated Wednesday, with Iran launching what it called
   "tens" of ballistic missiles toward at least two Iraqi military bases
   that house U.S. and international forces.

   Iranian officials said the attack was in retaliation for the U.S.
   killing of top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani in a drone strike
   outside the Baghdad airport last week.

   The situation is delicate for South Korea, a key U.S. ally that also
   views Iran as an important potential trading partner.

   'Situation totally changed'

   "The pressure from the United States (to participate in the maritime
   force) is going to be higher, but now the situation has totally
   changed," says Jang Ji-Hyang, a Middle East specialist at Seoul's Asan
   Institute for Policy Studies.

   It could become a volatile domestic political issue, just months before
   South Korea's parliamentary election, if South Korean troops were to
   become targets overseas, Jang says.

   "If the government decides to send our soldiers, South Korea could be
   mired in a war between Iran and the United States," said an editorial
   in South Korea's conservative Joongang Daily. "Iran is not our enemy
   and can emerge as a huge market once economic sanctions are lifted."

   The liberal Hankyoreh newspaper also noted that the violence is causing
   South Korea to "rethink" its contribution to the maritime force.

   The U.S.-South Korea alliance has already been strained by U.S.
   President Donald Trump's demand that Seoul pay substantially more for
   the cost of the U.S. military presence in South Korea.

   Although U.S. negotiators have reportedly dropped their insistence that
   Seoul increase their contribution by five times, the two sides failed
   to reach a deal before the current cost-sharing deal expired at the end
   of the year. Another round of talks is expected as early as next week.

   There were reports that South Korean participation in the maritime
   force could factor into the cost-sharing negotiations.

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