Hard Choices for Seoul After Strait of Hormuz Attack - Korea Economic Institute of America -

The May 4th fire on the HMM Namu tanker in the Strait of Hormuz highlights South Korea’s vulnerability in energy security, alliance management with the US, and Indo-Pacific priorities due to the ongoing Iran war. President Trump pressured South Korea to join a US-led maritime security mission in the Strait of Hormuz, forcing the Lee Jae Myung administration to confront a previously avoided choice. South Korea should strengthen maritime security cooperation with the US while adopting flexible alliance strategies to diversify energy and diplomatic ties.