Why President Lee Attends UK/France-Led Hormuz Summit 'Excluding the US'?

President Lee Jae-myung's decision to participate in the UK- and France-led virtual summit concerning the Strait of Hormuz signifies South Korea's proactive engagement in critical international security and economic affairs, as reported by Hankyoreh. This move underscores Seoul's commitment to maintaining stability in a vital global energy chokepoint and asserting its role within the international community.

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The summit will likely cover topics including energy supply chains, stances on the Middle East situation, free passage through the strait, and the necessity of international solidarity.

South Korea's consistent participation in related multilateral forums, including a joint statement by 38 nations and subsequent meetings of military chiefs and foreign ministers, demonstrates a strategic effort to remain aligned with global efforts concerning the Strait. The upcoming summit is a continuation of this policy, aiming to contribute to the reopening of the strait and ensure the free flow of maritime traffic, which is crucial for Korea's energy security and economic interests.

The absence of the United States from this particular summit, while noted, is framed by Seoul as a matter of coordination rather than exclusion. South Korea emphasizes ongoing communication with the US, suggesting that the current format, led by European allies, is a distinct but complementary effort. The differing approaches between France and the UK regarding US involvement highlight the complex diplomatic landscape surrounding the Strait of Hormuz.

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It is not intended to exclude the United States; we are coordinating and moving in cooperation.

From a Korean perspective, as covered by Hankyoreh, this engagement is about more than just immediate security concerns. It's about leveraging these international platforms to enhance South Korea's diplomatic leverage and influence in the post-conflict era. By actively participating in discussions on maritime security and free passage, Seoul aims to solidify its position as a responsible global actor, capable of contributing to regional and international stability. The potential involvement of the South Korean military in multinational efforts to protect commercial shipping in the Strait, as previously mentioned by the Defense Minister, further illustrates this strategic intent.

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There are various scenarios being reviewed regarding the possibility of our military being deployed for the 'protection of merchant ships' in the Strait of Hormuz after the war's end, and if deployed, it would be in the form of participating in a multinational force.