Opposition within the Democratic Party erupts over the possibility of sending troops to the Strait of Hormuz.

(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Kyung-Jun Park = As the possibility of the government sending military forces to the Strait of Hormuz has been raised amid public pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, some members of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, as well as the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, as well as the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, are already openly raising voices of opposition.

At a time when the party's approval rating is on the decline, the party leadership appears to be taking a cautious approach amid speculation that the salient issue of Hormuz could rekindle a conflict within the ruling party similar to the one experienced during the deployment of troops to Iraq during the Roh Moo-hyun administration.

Rep. Lee Ki-heon of the Democratic Party said on Facebook that day, "US President Trump is dissatisfied with Iran for not helping with military operations and makes high-handed gestures that even hint at trade pressure," and added, "I regret his attitude of using the alliance as a tool of pressure."

Rep. Lee emphasized, "The dispatch of our military to the Strait of Hormuz under any pretext is unacceptable," and added, "Even if it is a non-combat force, its essence is clear participation in war. We cannot force our people and military into an indefinite war that the United States started and is mired in."

The party is maintaining its principled position due to the reason that the government's position has not yet been confirmed.

Chief Spokesperson Park Seong-joon met with reporters after the budget policy council meeting held in Hongseong, South Chungcheong Province and said, “Since these issues require sufficient collection of opinions from the standing committee, it would be good to first look at the opinions coming from the National Defense Committee.”

Spokesperson Lee Joo-hee also met with reporters at the National Assembly and said, “It is not a situation that is specifically being reviewed within the National Assembly,” and “I think it will have to be discussed at the National Defense Committee.”

In relation to this, a member of the National Defense Committee said, based on his personal opinion, in a phone call with Yonhap News, "If troops are dispatched while Iran is attacking merchant ships, there is a risk of a conflict situation, but there is also a realistic need to protect stable crude oil transportation routes. If the troops go, it is an issue that must be comprehensively judged by considering all matters, including what mission they will perform."

The Democratic Party's cautious stance is analyzed to be due to the trauma caused by the past deployment of troops to Iraq.

During the Roh Moo-hyun administration, the ruling Democratic Party showed signs of severe division, with 49 voting in favor and 43 voting against during the plenary session on the motion to send troops to Iraq, splitting it in two.

In addition, voices opposing the deployment of troops from progressive political parties across the ruling party appear to be a burden for the ruling party, which seeks unity and solidarity.

Kim Joon-hyung, floor leader of the Fatherland Innovation Party, raised his voice in a commentary, saying, “Why on earth should the Republic of Korea consider sending troops to this illegal war of aggression?” and “Even the Yoon Seok-yeol government did not blatantly send troops to the Ukraine war.”