South Koreans protest navy expansion near Strait of Hormuz amid Iran war fears

These protesters have gathered in front of South Korea's presidential complex, known as the Blue House, calling on President Lee Jae-myung to reconsider his plan to extend and expand anti-piracy operations in the Gulf. President Lee wants the naval operation expanded in size, adding maritime patrol aircraft as well as extending operations to the Gulf of Oman, putting the country's navy near the the Strait of Hormuz. Demonstrators here say that could have unintended consequences. The Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz are all battlefields right now. It is not only the Strait of Hormuz. There is also a war ongoing in the Red Sea. Critics also say patrol aircraft could be used to monitor shipping lanes and gathering information on threats which, if shared with the U.S., could amount to indirect military support. President Lee had earlier ruled out sending Korean forces to fight in the war while leaving open a greater role for the country's navy to protect Korean ships. The plan must be approved by the National Assembly, where a minor opposition party has warned that sending anti-piracy destroyers to the edge of a battlefield could be seen as the government trying to sidestep the Parliament's right to approve overseas military deployments. Jack Barton, Al Jazeera, Seoul.