The finding comes as Seoul considers contributing to maritime security in the strategic waterway, following the return of a government-led inspection team earlier in the day from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where it assessed conditions for a possible deployment.
The National Barometer Survey or NBS, found that 45 percent of respondents opposed deploying assets including maritime patrol aircraft and a logistics support ship, compared with 36 percent who supported the move. Another 19 percent said they did not know or declined to answer.
Opposition was particularly strong among supporters of the ruling Democratic Party (DP), with 55 percent against deployment and 31 percent in favor. Among supporters of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP), 46 percent backed deployment while 40 percent opposed it.
A team of inspectors from the Ministry of National Defense and other officials recently returned from the UAE after reviewing military facilities, logistics, and operational conditions relevant to a possible South Korean contribution in the region.
They are expected to brief the National Security Council on their findings, but Seoul has stressed that the inspection does not mean a deployment will take place, as no decision has been made yet.
Cheong Wa Dae said the government was considering various options including providing technical assistance instead of sending personnel.
During his state visit to France earlier this week, President Lee Jae Myung also discussed maritime security and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz with French President Emmanuel Macron, though their talks did not cover any specific plans to deploy troops.
The issue has gained urgency amid pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly criticized Seoul for declining to assist Washington in its offensive against Iran.
Trump said in an Aug. 16 social media post that he had asked Lee whether South Korea wanted to join U.S. operations against Iran and claimed the South Korean president replied, "No thanks!"
Trump elaborated the following day, saying he had asked Lee to "give us a little hand" with Iran and questioning why Washington should continue bearing the cost of defending South Korea if Seoul was unwilling to assist the U.S.
Trump also linked Seoul's refusal to his decision to substantially reduce U.S.-South Korea joint military exercises.
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