Lee and Macron vow close coordination to protect freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz

South Korea and France will continue working closely to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and stabilize global supply chains, President Lee Jae Myung said after meeting French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.

Speaking at a joint press conference at the Élysée Palace on June 8, Lee recalled that he had joined a conference on the Strait of Hormuz led by France and Britain in April. He said South Korea had expressed its willingness to contribute to stability in the strait and freedom of navigation.

The statement comes after a senior South Korean presidential official said Seoul was reviewing options related to a possible deployment to the Strait of Hormuz. The official said the country could act as long as doing so did not significantly weaken its readiness on the Korean Peninsula, but stressed that no decision had been made because the issue remained under review.

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South Korea and France will continue close coordination so that freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and the stability of global supply chains can be restored as soon as possible.

Lee and Macron also agreed to strengthen economic and industrial cooperation, with a target of reaching $20 billion in bilateral trade by 2030. A South Korea-France business roundtable involving about 20 companies was held during Lee’s visit to explore investment and cooperation in advanced technology and future industries.

The two governments plan to develop cooperation in artificial intelligence, quantum technology, space, nuclear power and biotechnology. Lee said they had agreed to expand an April agreement on full-cycle nuclear cooperation through additional arrangements covering nuclear research and development and fuel supplies. They also agreed to establish a high-level channel for civilian nuclear cooperation, with the aim of supporting next-generation reactor development and diversifying long-term supply chains.

On international issues, Lee said the two countries would work with the international community to help restore peace in Ukraine and support its reconstruction. He added that Macron had reaffirmed his support for and willingness to cooperate with South Korea’s policy toward the Korean Peninsula.

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We will continue to communicate closely so that companies from both countries can operate in a stable and predictable environment and create more opportunities in each other’s markets.