(2nd LD) Lee says will be no troop dispatch that might lead to involvement in overseas conflict

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(ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead; UPDATES with new info, photo in paras 2-5) By Park Boram

SEOUL, Sept. 18 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung on Friday highlighted the need for the country to protect its citizens and national interests in the Strait of Hormuz but said there will be no troop dispatch that might lead to the country's involvement in an overseas conflict.

"Let it be clear. There will be no dispatch of troops that will lead to involvement in a conflict. There will be no engagement or involvement in war," Lee said in a televised press conference.

The president said it was also clear that the country needs to conduct "the minimum level of activities" to safeguard nationals or the transportation route for crude oil in the area, as other countries do.

South Korea's Cheonghae military unit has expanded the scope of its mission to carry out relevant activities in the area, but "it is true that we are reviewing and thinking about ways to strengthen (measures) on this," he said.

On domestic issues, the president reaffirmed that he had no intention of seeking reelection through constitutional revision, also noting his reelection is impossible under the Constitution.

President Lee Jae Myung speaks during a press conference on Sept. 18, 2026. (Yonhap)

"I once again make it clear that I have no intention to seek reelection," he told a televised press conference.

His remarks follow repeated calls from the opposition bloc for the president to declare his intentions, accusing him of seeking reelection, despite a constitutional clause that stipulates any changes to the presidential system shall not apply to the president in office at the time of a revision.

Friday's event marked the seventh press conference by the president since he took office in June 2025 but a rare one, given that most of his previous pressers were held on and around special occasions, such as the first year anniversary of his administration.

The event, announced three days earlier, comes after Lee saw his approval ratings decline to the lowest levels in the mid-30 percent range in recent weeks, especially among young voters.

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(2nd LD) Lee says will be no troop dispatch that might lead to involvement in overseas conflict

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（注意：重写标题和导语；第2-5段更新信息和照片）作者：朴宝蓝

首尔，9月18日（韩联社）——韩国总统李在明周五强调，韩国有必要保护其公民和国家利益在霍尔木兹海峡的安全，但他表示，不会派遣军队前往该地区，以免韩国卷入海外冲突。

李在电视新闻发布会上说：“我要明确指出，不会派遣任何军队卷入冲突，也不会参与任何战争。”

总统表示，很明显，该国需要像其他国家一样，开展“最低限度的活动”，以保障本国公民和该地区原油运输路线的安全。

他说：“韩国清海部队扩大了其在该地区开展相关活动的任务范围，但确实我们正在审查和思考如何加强这方面的（措施）。”

在国内问题上，总统重申他无意通过修改宪法寻求连任，并指出根据宪法，他不可能连任。

2026年9月18日，李在明总统在新闻发布会上发表讲话。（韩联社）

“我再次明确表示，我没有寻求连任的打算，”他在电视新闻发布会上说道。

此前，反对派阵营多次呼吁总统表明其意图，指责他寻求连任，尽管宪法中有一项条款规定，对总统制的任何修改均不适用于修改时在任的总统。

周五的活动是总统自 2025 年 6 月上任以来举行的第七次新闻发布会，但这次却很罕见，因为他之前的大多数新闻发布会都是在特殊场合或前后举行的，例如他的执政一周年纪念日。

此次活动于三天前宣布，此前李的支持率在最近几周跌至30%左右的最低水平，尤其是在年轻选民中。

（导语）赵外长前往华盛顿与卢比奥就投资、霍尔木兹海峡和朝鲜问题举行会谈。

（导语）李与国际能源署署长讨论应对能源危机

李誓言要严厉打击跨国犯罪和剥头皮行为。

首尔将举办首届中亚峰会，讨论关键矿产和供应链合作等议题。

（导语）李沧东执导的《可能的爱》荣获威尼斯电影节评审团大奖

（第二条）李沧东执导的《可能的爱》荣获威尼斯电影节评审团大奖

（新闻焦点）李沧东：这位韩国电影大师以其深邃的电影视角捕捉人类尊严

（第三名）李沧东执导的《可能的爱》荣获威尼斯电影节评审团大奖

韩国和美国将在考虑部署霍尔木兹号卫星系统之际举行高级别防务会谈

超过300名韩国工人就去年在佐治亚州的移民突袭事件向特朗普政府提出质疑：CNN

（第三份报告）朝鲜向东海发射多枚短程弹道导弹：联合参谋本部

（第二轮投票）性别平等部长提名人选因争议不断而退出竞选

朝鲜辅助船在韩国东海岸附近沉没

韩国和法国举行联合空中演习，以增强互操作性

据报道，多达10万名朝鲜工人被派往国外，其中一些人参与了俄罗斯无人机的生产。

（导语）朝鲜领导人的妹妹驳斥国际原子能机构的无核化呼吁，重申朝鲜的核地位

（韩联社报道）韩华凭借新一代无人机队引领韩国地面防御创新

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朝鲜被勒令因拆除联络办公室赔偿446亿韩元

韩国-中亚商业峰会

（第二条）李表示，不会派遣任何可能导致卷入海外冲突的部队。