South Korea and France agree to intensify defence cooperation amid Middle East conflict
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said that he and French President Emmanuel Macron planned to 'boost defence co-operation and work together in order to address 'the economic and energy crisis triggered by war i Iran.
After a visit to Japan, Macron arrived in South Korea for a 2-day state trip on Thursday. He held a Seoul summit on Friday.
The first visit of a French President since 2015, officials said that the visit aims to reinforce France's economic and strategic role in the region during a period of "strong tensions" both internationally and regionally.
Lee stated after the summit that "President Macron agreed with me to share our policy experiences and strategies to jointly tackle the economic and energy crisis triggered by the Middle East war."
He said that the leaders confirmed their commitment to enhance energy security, including by working together to ensure safe maritime transport routes across the Strait of Hormuz.
South Korea, like other Asian economies is heavily dependent on energy imports. This includes through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has shut down the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation to U.S. and Israeli attacks that began on February 28. This has pushed up energy prices, and fuelled fears of global recession.
Macron said that it was unrealistic to launch a forceful military operation to open the Strait of Hormuz, after U.S. president Donald Trump challenged U.S. ally to work toward reopening.
DEFENCE TIES
Macron said that after the Friday summit, both countries, major arms producers, would?strive to strengthen their defence ties.
Macron stated that he wanted to give the cooperation a modern dimension, citing more joint exercises as well as greater cooperation in production.
Both sides want to increase the strategic depth of their military production.
Lee said that the two countries would expand their cooperation in areas such as defence and aerospace.
Lee's office announced that South Korea and France will sign a series of preliminary agreements for cooperation in sectors such as critical minerals, semiconductors and quantum technologies, wind energy, nuclear power and nuclear energy.
Lee stated that the countries also wanted to increase their bilateral trade from 15 billion dollars in 2025 to $20 billion dollars by?2030.
Lee highlighted the memorandums of understanding that will be signed by South Korea's Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, a state-run company, and French companies Orano & Framatome. He said this would help secure fuel for Korean nuclear power stations and lay?the basis for joint entry to the global nuclear marketplace.
Lunch and KPOP
After their summit, the two leaders will share a meal with?140 government officials and business executives from both nations. Felix, who is a member Stray Kids, the Kpop boyband that has been appointed honorary ambassador for France, will attend as well, according to Lee's office.
The Blue?House reported that chef Son Jong -won served a banquet on Thursday to the wives of the world leaders. Son Jong -won was featured in Netflix's "Culinary?Class Wars". The Blue?House said that Son Jong-won, who was on Netflix's popular "Culinary Class Wars", served a banquet attended by the leaders and their wives.
According to Blue House, the French President is expected to give a speech at Yonsei University after the summit and attend a business forum with Prime Minister Kim Min -seok.
According to the Elysee, Macron will meet with the CEOs from Samsung, Naver, and Hyundai Motor to increase French exports to South Korea, and to attract Korean investment to France's technology and industrial sectors.
(source: Reuters)
