Lee, Macron pledge cooperation to secure passage through Strait of Hormuz

President Lee Jae Myung shakes hands with French President Emmanuel Macron ahead of an expanded summit at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, Friday. Yonhap

President Lee Jae Myung and French President Emmanuel Macron agreed Friday to cooperate on securing safe maritime passage through the Strait of Hormuz, with both leaders signaling a joint response to the economic and energy fallout from the Middle East war.

"We agreed to share policy experiences and strategies to jointly respond to the economic and energy crisis caused by the Middle East war and to work together to resolve international economic uncertainty," Lee said, adding that the two had "confirmed their willingness to cooperate to secure safe maritime shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz."

Macron said the two sides had discussed the Middle East situation at length. "I believe we can do useful things to stabilize the situation in Hormuz, and more broadly once the bombardments have ceased," he said.

The agreement came out of a summit at the presidential office in Seoul, where the two leaders signed a series of agreements covering economic security and future technologies, with discussions ranging from trade and investment to artificial intelligence (AI), nuclear energy and space.

They also agreed to upgrade bilateral ties to a “global strategic partnership,” signaling broader cooperation in advanced industries and shared responses to global challenges.

Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power signed memorandums of understanding with French nuclear firms Orano and Framatome to strengthen cooperation on nuclear fuel supply chains, securing a more stable fuel procurement base and expanding joint efforts in the global nuclear market, Cheong Wa Dae said.

President Lee Jae Myung walks with French President Emmanuel Macron to inspect an honor guard during an official welcome ceremony at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, Friday. Yonhap

In his opening remarks at the expanded talks, Lee emphasized the importance of Macron’s visit, noting it was the first by a French president in 11 years and the first by a European leader under his administration.

“This visit is particularly meaningful as it coincides with the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between our two countries,” Lee said. “Korea and France have built strong cooperation in trade and investment and are now expanding that partnership into future industries such as AI, quantum technology, space and nuclear energy.”

Macron described the summit as an opportunity to deepen the relationship between the two nations.

“This is a good opportunity to strengthen our partnership and take it to a higher level,” he said. “We want a partnership based on cooperation that also respects each country’s sovereignty and shared values.”

From left, first lady Kim Hea Kyung, French President Emmanuel Macron, President Lee Jae Myung and Brigitte Macron, wife of the French president, raise a toast during a state luncheon at the presidential office in Seoul, Friday. Yonhap

The French president also emphasized the need for closer coordination on global challenges, including climate issues, emerging technologies and regional security, while noting cooperation could expand further in areas such as defense, space and agriculture.

France’s role as this year’s G7 chair and a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council also shaped the discussions, with both sides signaling a broader alignment beyond the Korean Peninsula.

“Korea and France will go beyond a simple partnership and work together to shape the future through deeper strategic coordination,” Lee said in a joint statement. “We agreed to further strengthen cooperation in advanced industries, economic security and our response to global challenges.”

Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong, left, speaks with Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Euisun during a state luncheon hosted by President Lee Jae Myung for French President Emmanuel Macron at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, Friday. Yonhap

The presidential office said the upgrade reflects a shared goal of aligning key policy priorities and expanding cooperation in future-oriented industries.

A senior presidential official said the summit would serve as a turning point in expanding both the scope and depth of bilateral cooperation.

Friday’s summit marked the third meeting between the two leaders, following earlier encounters on the sidelines of the G7 and G20 summits last year.

Macron arrived in Korea the previous day for a two-day state visit. After the summit, he attended a state luncheon and a series of economic and cultural events before departing later Friday.

President Lee Jae Myung embraces French President Emmanuel Macron after raising a toast during a state luncheon at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, Friday. Yonhap