What did Lee Jae Myung and Emmanuel Macron agree on about the Strait of Hormuz?

Lee and Macron agreed to work together to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Macron said the planned multinational effort would be peaceful once the countries involved reach agreement.

Why is South Korea weighing its role in the Strait of Hormuz mission now?

Seoul is responding to U.S. calls for contributions to efforts in the strait. The government says it is reviewing several options, including military measures, but has not decided on any deployment.

What warning did Iran issue over possible Korean military involvement in Hormuz?

Iran said any Korean military involvement in the Strait of Hormuz would be treated as support for U.S. military action. It warned that such a move would carry serious consequences.

Lee, Macron back Hormuz cooperation, stress 'peaceful' multinational mission

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Summary

President Lee Jae Myung and French President Emmanuel Macron agreed in Paris on Tuesday to work together to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Macron said a prospective multinational mission would be peaceful, while Seoul continues to weigh its role amid U.S. calls for contributions. The Korean government said it is reviewing options, including military measures, but has not made a deployment decision. Iran warned that any Korean military involvement would be seen as support for U.S. military action and carry serious consequences.

Key Facts

The two leaders discussed cooperation on Middle East issues during their summit at the Elysee Palace in Paris.
Macron said South Korea and France had previously discussed what they could do, including with the U.K., to help reopen the waterway.
The government said it is reviewing various options, including military measures, but that no deployment decision has been made.
Iran warned that any Korean military involvement in the Strait of Hormuz would be viewed as support for U.S. military action and carry serious consequences.

By Jane Han

Published Sep 9, 2026 1:00 am KST
Updated Sep 9, 2026 8:05 am KST

President Lee Jae Myung, left, and French President Emmanuel Macron exchange greetings following a joint press conference at the Elysee Palace in Paris, Tuesday. Yonhap

President Lee Jae Myung and French President Emmanuel Macron agreed Tuesday to work together to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, with Macron describing a prospective multinational mission as "peaceful" as Seoul weighs its role in the strategic waterway.

The two leaders discussed cooperation on Middle East issues during their summit at the Elysee Palace in Paris, amid growing attention in Korea over how the government will respond to U.S. calls for contributions to efforts in the strait.

Macron said Korea and France had previously discussed what they could do, including with the U.K., to help reopen the waterway.

He said the two countries would cooperate to restore peace in the region once agreement is reached among countries involved in the multinational mission, which he described as peaceful.

The talks come as Seoul considers its response to Washington's calls for Korea to contribute to efforts to secure the key shipping route. The government has said it is reviewing various options, including military measures, but that no deployment decision has been made.

Iran has warned that any Korean military involvement in the Strait of Hormuz would be viewed as support for U.S. military action and carry serious consequences.

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