SEOUL, March 17 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's defense minister Ahn Gyu-back said Tuesday that South Korea has not received any official request from the United States to deploy warships to the Middle East, Yonhap News Agency reported.

South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-Back speaks during the joint press conference with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth following the 57th Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) at the Defense Ministry in Seoul on November 4, 2025. (File photo: AFP)

"The defense ministry has not received an official request," Ahn made the remarks during a parliamentary session, noting that recent calls on social media by U.S. President Donald Trump urging allies to send naval forces to safeguard the Strait of Hormuz do not constitute a formal request.

He said any potential deployment would need to be decided in consideration of national interests, public safety, and relevant laws, and would require parliamentary approval.

The minister added that the military will maintain readiness against possible contingencies arising from the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.