President Lee Jae Myung said Friday that South Korea would not send troops or military assets to participate in the Iran war, while confirming that his government is considering stronger measures to protect Korean shipping, crude oil routes and citizens around the Strait of Hormuz. Lee said Seoul’s non-involvement principle would remain unchanged but acknowledged that it is reviewing whether to strengthen the Cheonghae anti-piracy unit, which already operates in the region.

The remarks narrowed the kind of contribution Seoul may make as Washington seeks allied help restoring freedom of navigation. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun toldU.S. Secretary of