Lee Jae-myung, South Korea’s president, said on Friday that his country will not send any military personnel or military equipment to the Middle East that would pull Seoul into battles related to the Iran war.

He added at a press conference that the South Korean government is also reviewing ways to increase its role in protecting shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

Lee’s remarks make South Korea’s position on the possibility of military involvement in the region clearer. Choo Hyun, South Korea’s foreign minister, had previously said that Seoul has not yet decided on sending military forces to the Strait of Hormuz.