Korea should make a military contribution to international efforts to secure the Strait of Hormuz but limit its role to noncombat missions, experts said, citing the need to manage its alliance with the United States, protect the country’s energy and maritime interests and uphold freedom of navigation. Experts stressed that Korea should avoid direct military confrontation with Iran, ensure that its contribution is not perceived as joining the war and carefully consider the timing of its involvement. “Korea will need to make some contribution, considering its relationship with the U.S.,” said Min Jeong-hun, a professor at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy. “At the same time, Korea has sufficient justification for contributing, given its direct interest in maintaining freedom of navigation and stable energy supplies,” he added, noting that around 60 percent to 70 percent of the country’s crude oil imports pass through the strait. Jang Ji-hyang, a senior research fellow at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, similarly said participation would be consistent with Korea’s l