Justice Party "Dispatch of Troops Requires Parliamentary Approval"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] The Justice Party expressed regret and stated that parliamentary approval is absolutely necessary regarding the government's decision to expand the deployment area of the Cheonghae Unit to the Strait of Hormuz.

Kim Jong-dae, the chief spokesperson of the Justice Party, said in a briefing on the 21st, "The essence of this expansion of the deployment area is a change in military objectives, and it can only be seen as a new dispatch," adding, "The government's behavior of carrying out what is essentially a new dispatch without parliamentary approval, through an ambiguous and inaccurate procedure called 'expansion of the deployment area,' is very dangerous."

He continued, "This decision also contradicts the cautious stance the government has maintained so far. We do not know what pressures lie behind this, but the Justice Party expresses regret over the indiscriminate expansion of the operational scope in this manner."

He viewed the government's claim of 'safety' as rather threatening it. Chief Spokesperson Kim said, "It is true that tensions have escalated due to clashes between the United States and Iran, but there has never been a direct threat to our commercial vessels. On the contrary, there are concerns that deployment to the Strait of Hormuz could cause serious damage to our commercial vessels and military."

He added, "The government emphasizes that this is an independent mission not participating in the IMSC (International Maritime Security Construct ? Hormuz Protection Coalition) desired by the United States, but it is establishing a cooperative system by dispatching liaison officers to receive military support from the IMSC in case of emergency. It is difficult to see this as a purely independent mission."

Chief Spokesperson Kim reiterated, "We emphasize once again that deployment to Hormuz requires parliamentary approval. The dispatch of the Cheonghae Unit violates Article 60 of the Constitution, which guarantees the National Assembly's ratification rights. The Justice Party firmly opposes any dispatch that threatens national interests and safety."