Korea and the United States are in close communication over Washington's request for Seoul to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz to patrol the crucial oil route, a senior presidential aide said Monday. Lee Kyu-yeon, presidential secretary for public affairs and communications, made the remarks after U.S. President Donald Trump urged Korea and four other countries in a social media post to send ships to the Strait of Hormuz against Iran's effective attempt to close the waterway. "This is an issue that should be decided after enough discussions between Korea and the U.S., and I understand that the two sides remain in close communication," Lee said, without elaborating on the main communication channels. Asked whether Washington had made a formal request, Lee said Cheong Wa Dae is trying to determine the "exact intention" behind Trump's remarks and needs to confirm the U.S. government's official stance before making a decision. On Sunday, Cheong Wa Dae said it would carefully weight how to respond to Trump's social media post, noting that the safety of international maritime routes and f