The government of Lee Jae-myung is reportedly considering dispatching Korean military personnel and military assets to the Strait of Hormuz, prompting the Labor Party and civil society organizations to immediately urge the government to halt the ongoing review, stating that "any form of deployment is participation in war."
The Social Transformation Solidarity Council, the International People's Action Committee Against Trump, the Emergency Action of Korean Civil Society in Solidarity with Palestine, and others held an 'Urgent Press Conference to Condemn the Deployment of Korean Troops to the Strait of Hormuz by the Lee Jae-myung Government' in front of the Blue House on the morning of the 7th.
At the press conference, civil society organizations, labor unions, progressive party officials, Iranian activists, and others demanded the withdrawal of Korean troops from the Strait of Hormuz and the cessation of the United States' military actions against Iran.
Previously, the Labor Party stated in a declaration on the 4th that the government is considering various forms of military contributions, including combat troops, logistical support, reconnaissance, and mine clearance, asserting that "sending Korean troops to support military operations in a war zone, regardless of the name given, constitutes participation in war."
The Labor Party particularly expressed critical views on the grounds for deployment mentioned by the government, such as energy security, protection of maritime routes, and economic interests.
The party pointed out, "It is not the government, conglomerates, or defense industry officials who stand to gain economic benefits from participating in this war, but the soldiers who have enlisted to fulfill their duty of national defense and are the ones actually risking their lives."
Furthermore, they argued that if Korea were to participate militarily in the US and Israel's actions against Iran, it could set a negative precedent for the future security of the Korean Peninsula.
The Labor Party emphasized that if Korea were to join in justifying preemptive military attacks based on the possibility of threats, it could weaken the grounds for opposing similar military actions on the Korean Peninsula in the future under the pretext of North Korea's nuclear weapons.
At the press conference, Lee Baek-yoon, co-chair of the Labor Party, also stressed that "regardless of the name given, deployment is participation in war."
He stated, "The government may call it logistical support or reconnaissance instead of combat troops, but the moment Korea sends its troops and military assets to a war zone to support US operations, Korea is also involved in the war," adding that "whether it is combat or rear support, it is not a fundamental difference."
He further stated, "Those who benefit from this war are different from those who actually pay the price," and criticized the government for sending soldiers to a war zone under the guise of national interest in the profits of conglomerates or defense industries.
The co-chair also mentioned the impact of deployment on the security of the Korean Peninsula, warning that "the door opened in the Strait of Hormuz today could bring war to this land tomorrow," and that "by bolstering the logic of the US attacking Iran, Korea could become a country that endorses that logic."
He emphasized that "what the government should do is not consider deployment but strive for the cessation of military actions, ceasefires, and diplomatic solutions," adding that "Korea should stand with international efforts to stop wars rather than escalate them."
Participants at the press conference demanded immediate cessation of the consideration of deployment to the Strait of Hormuz, refusal of Korea's military support and participation in the US military operations against Iran, and cessation of the US military attacks against Iran.
The government has stated that "no decision has been made regarding the deployment to the Strait of Hormuz." However, with the possibility of utilizing non-combat forces such as logistical support ships and maritime patrol aircraft being mentioned, controversies surrounding the deployment and participation methods are expected to continue for the time being.
The Labor Party stated, "We will continue to gather public opinion against the deployment policy until it is withdrawn and carry on with international solidarity activities," adding, "We oppose all attempts to mobilize soldiers under the guise of conglomerates' profits being national interests."
📝 Summary:
The government of Lee Jae-myung is considering sending Korean military personnel and assets to the Strait of Hormuz, sparking criticism from various groups. The Labor Party and civil society organizations are urging the government to stop the review, arguing that any deployment is a form of participation in war.
🗣️ Natural Korean Translation:
이재명 정부는 한국 군인과 군사 자산을 호르무즈 해협에 파견할 가능성을 고려하고 있으며, 다양한 단체들로부터 비판을 받고 있습니다. 노동당과 시민사회 단체들은 정부에게 리뷰를 중단하라고 촉구하며, 어떠한 파견도 전쟁 참여의 형태라고 주장하고 있습니다.
❓ Comprehension Questions:
1. What are some of the reasons why the Labor Party is against the deployment of Korean troops to the Strait of Hormuz?
노동당이 한국군을 호르무즈 해협으로 파견하는 것에 반대하는 이유는 무엇인가요?
2. Who participated in the 'Urgent Press Conference to Condemn the Deployment of Korean Troops to the Strait of Hormuz'?
'한국군을 호르무즈 해협으로 파견하는 것을 비난하는 긴급 기자회견'에 누가 참가했나요?
3. What does Lee Baek-yoon, co-chair of the Labor Party, emphasize regarding the deployment of Korean troops?
노동당 공동 의장인 이백윤은 한국군의 파견에 대해 어떤 점을 강조하나요?
💡 Vocabulary Learning:
1. deployment / 배치 / noun
- the act of moving soldiers or equipment to a place and getting them ready to use
- 한국군의 해외 배치에 대한 논의가 계속되고 있습니다.
- Discussions about the deployment of Korean troops overseas are ongoing.
2. cessation / 중지 / noun
- the fact of stopping something
- 한국의 군사 지원 및 이란에 대한 미군 작전 참여를 중단해야 합니다.
- Korea should cease military support and participation in US operations against Iran.
3. reconnaissance / 정찰 / noun
- the activity of getting information about enemy forces or positions by sending out small groups of soldiers or by using aircraft or other devices
- 정찰 수단을 통해 적의 위치를 확인할 수 있습니다.
- You can confirm the enemy's location through reconnaissance means.
4. bolstering / 강화 / noun
- the act of making something stronger or more effective
- 미국의 이란 공격 논리를 강화하면 한국이 그 논리를 지지하는 나라가 될 수 있습니다.
- By bolstering the logic of the US attacking Iran, Korea could become a country that endorses that logic.
5. solidarity / 연대 / noun
- mutual support within a group
- 국제적인 노력에 따라 전쟁을 멈추도록 노력해야 합니다.
- Efforts should be made to stop wars through international solidarity.
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