Citizens Take to the Streets to Oppose Hormuz Dispatch

He emphasized that unlike in the past, South Korea does not need to unconditionally accept US requests, and considering practical benefits or interests is an act that harms national interest. Director Choi strongly criticized, saying, "There is absolutely no need to grant such a request; we can just bluntly say 'no thank you.' Calculating practical benefits and interests in that situation is truly an act of treason."

Director Choi Young-min stated that he attempted to conduct an interview, but the police maintained a physical distance, citing the possibility of conflict, and prevented communication. This made it difficult to engage in smooth dialogue with participants who held different opinions, thereby hindering the inclusion of diverse voices.

He emphasized that the US's actions were merely strategic measures to stop Japan. Furthermore, he clearly stated the perception that Korea's liberation was achieved by Koreans themselves. He commented, "The US did not liberate us; they merely acted to stop Japan. They caused Japan's downfall, and we liberated ourselves."

He acknowledged that during the Vietnam War, South Korea, being a weaker nation, was inevitably dragged into the conflict. In contrast, he analyzed that North Korea is currently dispatching soldiers for economic gain. Through this comparison, Director Choi expressed a fundamental opposition to military dispatches themselves.

The Justice Party leader stated that the grounds for opposing the Hormuz dispatch are not merely a lack of justification. He emphasized that the core of opposing the dispatch is opposing war itself. He also reaffirmed the principle that South Korea's constitution prohibits participation in wars of aggression, issuing a warning to any president who fails to uphold the constitution. He said, "We oppose the dispatch not because there is no justification, but because we oppose war itself."

He also pointed out the safety concerns for workers in the Middle East and the negative impact on people's lives, such as LNG supply, warning of the real damage that dispatch would cause.

He criticized the government for playing 'tricks,' using the pretext of dispatching non-combat personnel while actually planning to send combat troops. He expressed strong vigilance against such attempts to justify the dispatch.

He claimed that this survey was for specific troop and weapon deployment for the dispatch. He also added the assertion that the US military base in Bahrain was devastated by an Iranian missile attack, pointing out that local US troops had moved to Jordan, thereby emphasizing the dangers of dispatching Korean troops.

This was criticized as an abandonment of the ruling party's responsibility to reflect public concerns and keep the government in check. With an NSC meeting and State Council resolution scheduled for next week, followed by parliamentary consent procedures, these internal movements within the Democratic Party are expected to significantly impact public opinion against the dispatch. The party leader's directive sparked concerns that it could hinder the opposition's unified voice and lend support to the government's push for dispatch.