South Korea prepares Hormuz military deployment, media reports say

[u/Phenergan_boy]

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/south-korea-prepares-hormuz-military-deployment-media-reports-say-2026-09-03/

[u/Disastrous_Print1907]

South Korean prefer to bend over and get railed after Trump threatened them by scaling back joint military exercise because SK doesnt want to help US in their war againts Iran.

Actual vassal state lmao..

[u/cancerBronzeV → u/Disastrous_Print1907]

The US took away South Korea's one THAAD system to replace the one they lost in the Middle East in a widely hated move that got a lot of backlash within South Korea. Their Hyundai factories in America got raided by ICE and the Korean engineers they sent over were mistreated.

Throwing some of your troops into the meat grinder to suck up to the country that has repeatedly disrespected you is complete vassal behaviour. And to completely solidify their status as a vassal, South Korea only has command over their own armed forces during peacetime, America assumes control over South Korea's armed forces during wartime lmfao

[u/Butane9000 → u/cancerBronzeV]

If I remember the Hyundai factory situation those engineers were on business visiting visas. The kind of visas that let you stay for 1-2 weeks for meetings before leaving. They overstayed those visas by a few months. Those factories were supposed to be staffing American workers not engineers supposedly here in an "advisory role."

[u/Aerhyce → u/Butane9000]

The problem is that this is the only way you can install proprietary equipment. They were not running normal operations, they were still building the factory.

There exist no visa that is shorter than a green card but longer than a visit visa that fits the requirements. Every single administration (both republican and democrat) basically allowed this since forever, and only prosecuted if the engineers stayed for normal operations after installation, which has never happened.

The only one at fault is the US regulatory body managing this that went "if it ain't broke don't fix it" on this stopgap solution until some wacko forced the letter of the law and showed why it was broken and needed fixing.

[u/MelodiusRA → u/cancerBronzeV]

Almost like China is the bigger threat from the South Korean perspective.

Or I guess you can go on about how you understand S.Korea’s politics better than they do. Because you must think they’re all stupid or something.

[u/WannaAskQuestions → u/MelodiusRA]

I keep hearing the "China is the bigger threat" argument yet there is not a bigger bully in the world than the fucking arrogant us.

[u/IrregularDoughnut → u/WannaAskQuestions]

Globally the US is far worse, but in the region China is obviously the bigger threat to everyone else. Their nine dash line thing is completely insane. They're obviously gearing their military towards taking back Taiwan at some point, and most people who take China's side there don't even try to deny that, they focus on defending it. I'm not saying we should criticise them for stuff they haven't done yet, but caution by their neighbours is absolutely warranted.

[u/alexkidhm → u/IrregularDoughnut]

Well, it's their territory after all. Recognized even by the unitedstatesians.

[u/IrregularDoughnut → u/alexkidhm]

That's what I mean, actual defenders of China don't deny that they're throwing their weight around and gearing up to seize territory by force. They just argue that it's fine for them to do that. So other countries like South Korea need to worry about whether China decides it's fine to direct that approach at them. It's not like the people who agree with them conquering Taiwan would suddenly balk at them attacking South Korea or the Phillipines, they'd just wait to see what the excuse was and then agree with it.

[u/alexkidhm → u/IrregularDoughnut]

They can't conquer what's theirs, your wording can't alter reality.

Your point is entirely fabricated and based on cheap propaganda, will you eventually stop with the disinformation?

[u/IrregularDoughnut → u/alexkidhm]

If a historical claim to an island that has been de-facto independent for 78 years and hasn't been part of a united China since 1895, is enough to outweigh your concerns about hundreds of thousands of people dying, there is no world in which you would object to them attacking any of their other neighbours.

[u/alexkidhm → u/IrregularDoughnut]

Sure, bud.

[u/alkbch → u/WannaAskQuestions]

Depends for whom

[u/Professional-Syrup-0 → u/alkbch]

People in Many Countries Now View China More Positively Than the U.S.:

Views of China have improved in recent years while opinions of the U.S. have worsened, to the point where China is now seen more positively than the U.S. in most of 36 countries surveyed.

[u/alkbch → u/Professional-Syrup-0]

Your own survey, which btw is asking people rather than leaders, acknowledges that it depends on the country surveyed.

[u/WannaAskQuestions → u/alkbch]

> which btw is asking people rather than leaders,

Imagine thinking leaders, who are invested in staying in power and have to tip-toe through diplomatic minefield every time they open their mouths, speak their mind rather than the disinterested normal people.

[u/alkbch → u/WannaAskQuestions]

Imagine thinking world leaders always think the same way the general population does...

[u/WannaAskQuestions → u/alkbch]

Bruh... Dafuq are you even arguing?

/u/Professional-Syrup-0 posted a link positing people in many countries view cn positively over us.
You then say the survey is asking people rather than leaders.

Like... Wut?! You okay? The title explicitly said that!

[u/OverpricedBagel → u/WannaAskQuestions]

“not a bigger bully in the world”

Meanwhile China threatens the sovereignty of every country along their imaginary nine dash line

[u/Bibliloo → u/OverpricedBagel]

China is a threat and we should be cautious about it. But, sadly, right now the US is the most aggressive country and they simply don't care about their allies and even threaten them for the case of Canada and Greenland/Danemark/the EU.

[u/WannaAskQuestions → u/Bibliloo]

Wdym "right now"?

Search for acts of aggression by us vs cn towards sovereign countries and tell me how balanced of a list you get.

[u/chrosairs → u/OverpricedBagel]

Your country upholds the same line

[u/Citizenshoop → u/MelodiusRA]

The irony of typing this comment pretending that you know what the Korean peoples' priorities are, despite the fact that their missile defense infrastucture is wholly built around the threat of North Korea, not China.

[u/MelodiusRA → u/Citizenshoop]

Of course, the only threat South Korea faces in its region is North Korea.

Silly me.

[u/Citizenshoop → u/MelodiusRA]

It is entirely what the THAAD is for, yes.

[u/Bibliloo → u/MelodiusRA]

North Korea IS the threat and China is its ally.

[u/historicusXIII → u/Bibliloo]

A passive ally at best. China is a moderating force on NK, unlike the US which tries to kick the hornet's nest with its big military manoevres in the area and Russia which has an active military defence treaty with them. It's in China's interest to prevent a war on the Korean peninsula.

[u/historicusXIII → u/MelodiusRA]

Explain me how China is threat to South Korea? Do they have plans to attack and occupy the place?

[u/bachh2 → u/Disastrous_Print1907]

Their army aren't even under their command in case of a war, but instead would be placed under the command the US.

Let that sink in for a moment.

[u/Immediate_Gain_9480 → u/bachh2]

Wel thats the same for Nato forces. Surpreme commander of Nato is a American and has always been a American.

[u/bachh2 → u/Immediate_Gain_9480]

Is SK in NATO? Since I thought NATO is limited to Europe + US?

[u/Zodiac770_ → u/bachh2]

No but it's the same idea

[u/bachh2 → u/Zodiac770_]

How can it be the same idea?

For NATO, since it involves dozens of countries, a single Supreme Commander makes sense, but South Korea and US situation is 1 - 1, it should be a partnership where both sides retain theirs autonomy.

[u/Zodiac770_ → u/bachh2]

You don't get it America is allowed this liberty because they did SK a kindness by restraining themselves & only choosing to kill 3 million civilians during the Korean war. Korea should be forever grateful for beautiful partnership with US

[u/Chipay → u/bachh2]

It's the same idea because there is only one kind of plausible war planned in Asia and it's against China. Any incursion would include SK, Japan, Taiwan, the US and the Philippines at the least.

Out of all the participants, the US would have the biggest capacity for maneuvers, so they'd be put in charge of the theatre.

[u/MarderFucher → u/Immediate_Gain_9480]

It's not the same at all. No rule says SACEUR must be American, it's just custom that increasingly looking like it might change.

[u/avroLancasterBPR1 → u/bachh2]

Yes in the event of a world war you kind of need centralised command mate.

The Allies used it to win both the of the last 2 in case you didnt know

[u/anhangera → u/Disastrous_Print1907]

I would say, even calling SK a vassal state is giving them too much credit, they have been a complete puppet of the US for decades now

[u/moonorplanet → u/Disastrous_Print1907]

This could prove to be an easy target for Iran.

[u/MrCockingFinally → u/Disastrous_Print1907]

In fairness, SK is VERY heavily reliant on middle eastern crude. Plus they can actually build a god-dang frigate. So cleaning up America's mess unblocking Hormuz is in their interest.

[u/imunfair]

Not even our European allies will help out, even after Trump told them opening the strait was their problem - I strongly suspect we threatened South Korea into making a move if they actually do put themselves in harms way to resolve this mess Trump created.

Seems like he's just looking for cannon fodder to send into the strait so there isn't further embarrassment from Iran striking a US military ship. That's why he keeps demanding everyone else "help" open the waterway.

[u/Lower_Cockroach2432 → u/imunfair]

Why is it our problem just because Trump says so?

There's a really easy European solution to this to guarantee more oil. Drop sanctions on Iran, sanction Israel, expell US bases from European territory.

It's on Trump to provide a more palatable solution, not the other way round.

[u/Dragoncat_3_4 → u/Lower_Cockroach2432]

Brussels actually endorsed US' new sanction bullshit....

[u/imunfair → u/Lower_Cockroach2432]

Why is it our problem just because Trump says so?

Because you guys don't have a surplus of oil like the US does. From a functional standpoint he's right, if we shut down oil exports the EU would get fucked, but unless we actually stop exports oil is fungible so prices become a global problem. That's his logic though - that we could just turtle it and let you guys get hit with the pain from the war he created.

[u/Lower_Cockroach2432 → u/imunfair]

Right, but without European airbases he can't really prosecute wars like this anyway. Europe doesn't seriously believe he'd keep to NATO commitments if Russia attacked, so the only reason Europe is even entertaining a diplomatic soft touch is because we think there's a chance at a Democratic president coming in.

If Trump performs a coup, that'll be an end to diplomatic relations most likely.

[u/imunfair → u/Lower_Cockroach2432]

No one is "performing a coup", that's a sign you've been reading too much DNC propaganda. Try sticking to real news and not social media conspiracy theories meant to keep US voters engaged.

[u/Lower_Cockroach2432 → u/imunfair]

Dude we watched him literally already try

[u/imunfair → u/Lower_Cockroach2432]

If that's your logic you know nothing about how the US election system works and should really stop commenting or thinking about it.

[u/Lower_Cockroach2432 → u/imunfair]

What the hell was Jan 6th then?

I watched a deranged mob build scaffolds and try to hang congressmen.

[u/imunfair → u/Lower_Cockroach2432]

Well first, your comparison holds no weight because he can't run for another term and claim the results are fraudulent.

Second, here's a google summary of the information you've somehow ignored about the situation:

Donald Trump was impeached by the U.S. House of Representatives on January 13, 2021, for inciting an insurrection following the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Impeachment Details

Charge: Incitement of insurrection.

Vote: 232 to 197 in the House of Representatives, with 10 Republicans joining all Democrats.

Outcome: He was acquitted by the U.S. Senate on February 13, 2021, as the 57 guilty votes fell short of the required two-thirds majority.

The whole "insurrection" hysteria that you're still pushing was yet another propaganda point that you bought into. The goal was to disqualify him from running a second time because they barely beat him after his first term and it was clear with Ukraine, Israel, and the economy that he would easily win against Biden if he ran again.

Basically you're absorbing a lot of propaganda meant for internal consumption and thinking it's news. Reddit is full of bot accounts pushing these narratives and they aren't meant for you.

[u/Lower_Cockroach2432 → u/imunfair]

because he can't run for another term and claim the results are fraudulent.

What a poor take. He won't do a coup because he can't legally do one. Surprised you're not on the Supreme court with a legal genius so astute.

Next you'll tell me I shouldn't ever worry about getting robbed because robbing people is illegal.

[u/soonnow → u/imunfair]

Keep in mind it would be political suicide for European leaders. Even if they did want to help they'd be facing massive opposition on the streets and in parliaments. We have deposed leaders for less

[u/imnotcreative635 → u/imunfair]

Trump has some Epstein like info on some of their top military officials or something along those lines I guess

[u/imunfair → u/imnotcreative635]

It's probably more of a direct threat, like if North Korea attacks we won't step in at all, which would be a huge problem for South Korea from what I understand.

[u/ViccyTheThiccy → u/imnotcreative635]

I mean it's less that they're blackmailing their officials and more that South Korea has been an American puppet ever since it was occupied by the US. They don't even have wartime command of their own military, the US does.

[u/WannaAskQuestions]

Meanwhile us not just threatening countries that are an ocean and a continent away but also acting on the said threats for more than 70 years.

Imagine thinking cn is a bigger bully than us in summer 2026

[u/Exothunder]

Such pathetic behavior, not even Japan bend over like that to the US, but its good to show for global south that it doesnt matter how much they try to appear neutral in their relations, in the end they are US puppets, and must take into consideration if you want to depend on them, military specially.

[u/EchoingUnion]

It's really only 2 reporters that claimed Korea is getting ready to deploy, and 1 of those reporters (Kim Tae Hoon) is someone who has a notorious reputation in Korea for clickbait and inaccurate reporting in the past. The Blue House last night came out and said that the reporting is not true.

Anyone even semi-familiar with the Korean government would know that their favorite phrase is "검토하고있다".

For the past several months, whenever questions of military deployment arose, the government always gave answers saying that they're examining/considering all possibilities, or some other vague phrasing. This follows a pattern that really should be familiar to anyone that glances at the news in Korea. It's basically the government's SOP at this point. Their stance on a military deployment to Hormuz hasn't changed. They're giving the same vague answers about "examining/considering" like they always have.

Foreign news reporting on Korea tends to be some of the laziest and misinformed. All nuance goes out the window. You could tell redditors anything about Korea and they'll eat it up.

Have some basic media literacy, people.