Cheong Wa Dae said Monday that U.S. President Donald Trump's request for Korea to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz is an issue that needs sufficient deliberation between Seoul and Washington, noting the government intends to handle it "very carefully." Lee Kyu-yeon, presidential secretary for public affairs and communications, made the remarks after 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 sufficient discussions between Korea and the U.S. and with adequate time for deliberation, and I understand that the two sides remain in close communication," Lee said, casting a cautious stance on the issue. "We intend to handle this issue very carefully," he added. 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 carefu