00:00Iran has issued a rather strong warning to South Korea.
00:02Iran said that if South Korea engages militarily against Iran in the Strait of Hormuz,
00:06it will consider it an act of aggression and direct participation in war against Iran.
00:10In effect, this means Iran is saying it would go to war with South Korea.
00:13A high-ranking Iranian security and political official, whose real name was not disclosed,
00:17said in an interview with the pro-Iranian Lebanese Al-Mayadeen Television
00:20that South Korea should not cooperate in military operations in the Strait of Hormuz
00:24under pressure from the United States.
00:25He especially emphasized that if South Korea participates in U.S. operations,
00:29it could damage its own interests and international reputation.
00:31The official claimed that the responsibility for the tensions in the Strait of Hormuz
00:35lies with the United States and Israel,
00:36and stated that as long as U.S. military intervention and economic pressure
00:39and blockade against Iran continue,
00:41it will be difficult to restore security in the region.
00:44The Iranian government has openly suggested the possibility of viewing South Korea's actions
00:47not just as economic or diplomatic issues, but as military acts.
00:50What is particularly noteworthy is that Iran specifically mentioned South Korea's role
00:53in considerable detail.
00:55Iran has stated that if South Korea participates in any activities against Iran
00:58in the Strait of Hormuz in any form,
01:00it will consider this as direct involvement in a military attack against Iran.
01:03This means that regardless of whether South Korea actually takes part in combat,
01:07any cooperation with the United States will be regarded as an act of war.
01:10This warning came right after the South Korean government announced
01:13that it considers the free passage through the Strait of Hormuz
01:15a matter tied to national interest and is reviewing ways to make a military contribution.
01:18The Blue House explained that the specific scale,
01:20mission, and composition of the troops have not yet been decided,
01:23and that the process of obtaining parliamentary approval has not even begun.
01:26Nevertheless, the fact that Iran immediately issued a public warning
01:29means that they are watching very closely whether South Korea will actually send troops.
01:33From South Korea's perspective,
01:34since the safety of the energy transport route passing through the Strait of Hormuz
01:37is directly linked to the economy,
01:39the diplomatic and security burden will inevitably increase
01:41depending on what role South Korea chooses between the US and Iran.
01:44On top of that, the United States is also demanding cooperation from South Korea
01:47and other allies regarding the issue of the Strait of Hormuz.
01:49Therefore, if the South Korean government actually pushes forward
01:52with a plan for military contribution,
01:53it will not only have to consider such measures,
01:56but also take into account relations with Iran
01:58and the safety of our citizens and businesses operating in the Middle East.
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