South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and French President Emmanuel Macron agreed on Friday to bolster defense cooperation and address economic and energy crises triggered by the war in Iran, according to multiple reports.
Key Takeaways
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and French President Emmanuel Macron agreed to strengthen defense and energy cooperation amid the Middle East conflict during Macron's state visit to Seoul. The two nations plan to enhance maritime security through the Strait of Hormuz, collaborate on advanced technologies, and increase bilateral trade to $20 billion by 2030.
- South Korea and France agree to deepen defense and energy ties
- Leaders commit to securing safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz
- Bilateral trade target set at $20 billion by 2030
- Agreements signed in critical minerals, semiconductors, quantum technologies, nuclear energy, and wind power
- Macron invites Lee to attend the G7 summit in France
The agreement came during Macron's two-day state visit to South Korea, his first as president. The leaders discussed ways to deepen economic ties and strengthen coordination on security issues amid the Middle East conflict. Lee emphasized that both presidents agreed to share policy-related experiences and strategies to jointly address the crises, as reported by TimesLIVE.
The two nations plan to enhance maritime security through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical energy route effectively shut down by Iran in response to US-Israeli attacks. Macron stated that launching a military operation to reopen the strait would be unrealistic, contrasting with earlier challenges from US President Donald Trump for allies to work towards this goal.
In addition to defense and maritime security, South Korea and France signed several preliminary agreements covering critical minerals, semiconductors, quantum technologies, nuclear energy, and wind power. They also aim to increase bilateral trade to $20 billion by 2030 from the current $15 billion. The leaders highlighted memoranda of understanding between South Korea's state-run Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power and French companies Orano and Framatome.
Macron extended a formal invitation to Lee for the Group of Seven summit scheduled for June in Evian, France, which Lee accepted. This visit marks Macron's first trip to South Korea since taking office in 2017 and comes as both countries celebrate the 140th anniversary of their diplomatic relations.
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