The Gwangju Peace Alliance, a civic organization in Gwangju, South Korea, has voiced strong opposition to US President Donald Trump's requests for South Korea to deploy troops to the Gulf region, especially in the context of increasing conflict in Iran. During a press conference held in Gwangju, they urged the South Korean government to clarify its stance against the troop deployment, arguing that Trump's strategy appears to involve dragging other nations into a conflict that he is struggling to manage alone. The group criticized Trump's approach as reckless and cowardly, as it risks the lives of Korean citizens while he withdraws his own from the battlefield.

In their statement, the organization highlighted the presence of 26 South Korean transport vessels currently in the Strait of Hormuz, pointing out the dangers that troop deployment would pose to these vessels, which could become targets of missile attacks. They expressed concern over Trump's call to deploy troops while simultaneously issuing evacuation orders for American nationals, characterizing this as a dangerous and irresponsible way to handle international conflict. The Gwangju Peace Alliance emphasized the need for the Lee Jae-myung government to prioritize the safety of South Korean citizens and national interests amid these pressures.

The Gwangju Peace Alliance concluded with a plea for global peace advocates to unite against what they deem an illegal act of aggression. They called for heightened efforts against war and in support of peaceful resolutions, urging the South Korean administration to actively reject Trump's troop deployment requests to safeguard the welfare of its citizens and maintain the country's sovereignty.