"Dozens of monks from the Jogye Order, South Korea's largest Buddhist sect, marched and prostrated through central Seoul on Tuesday to protest the Middle East conflict and US President Donald Trump's request for the deployment of allied warships to the region. Footage shows the monks launching their ritual at Jogyesa Temple before marching through the streets towards the US Embassy with signs reading 'Stop the killing', 'No warship deployment' and 'Stop the war', among others. They were seen performing full-body prostrations with their faces to the ground, drawing media and public attention along the route. Citizens and participants voiced support for the procession, calling on parties in the conflict to cease hostilities and urging the Seoul government not to take part in the war. "As this war continues, it will only lead to more loss of life rather than any real solution. Both sides should seek a path of coexistence and resolve the situation through dialogue," one resident noted. "I do not want our country’s soldiers to be involved in actions that take children’s lives. I also believe that our young people should not suffer or become victims in such a deadly war," another passerby pointed out. Up to 60 Buddhists joined the procession, alongside members of civic and social groups, while 24 monks repeatedly performed prostrations along the 3-kilometre route, according to local media. It comes after Trump recently urged NATO allies and Asian partners to help protect shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, warning of 'very bad' consequences for countries that refused to 'share the burden'. The strategic waterway, which normally carries around 20 percent of global oil shipments, has been severely disrupted amid the conflict, contributing to surging energy prices and raising fears of economic fallout. The current escalation began on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran. Tehran later responded with missile and drone attacks targeting Israeli territory and US military assets across the region, with explosions reported in several Gulf countries."