South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has said his country will not send military assets to the Middle East if doing so could involve South Korea in the ongoing conflict linked to the Iran war.

Speaking on Friday, Lee said Seoul would avoid any military deployment that could make the country a direct participant in the fighting. At the same time, the South Korean government is considering whether to increase its role in protecting navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

The government is also assessing measures aimed at protecting commercial shipping and the safety of South Korean citizens in the region while keeping the country out of direct military involvement in the conflict.