On 3rd April, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and French President Emmanuel Macron announced that they would enhance cooperation in defence and collaborate in solving the economic and energy crisis as a result of the war in Iran.
Macron made a two-day state visit to South Korea after visiting Japan on Thursday, and had a summit with South Korean leaders on Friday.
This is the first state visit of a French president since 2015, and French officials have said the visit is to cement the strategic and economic role of France in the region amidst “great international and regional tensions.”
Lee said that following the summit, President Macron and I discussed policy-related experiences and strategies to deal with the economic and energy crises caused by the Middle East war together.
“The leaders also affirmed their determination to strengthen energy security, one of which is through collective efforts to ensure safe maritime transport routes across the Strait of Hormuz,” he said.
South Korea, as well as other Asian economies, is a major importer of energy, including via the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has successfully blocked the waterway as a retaliatory measure against U.S-Israeli attacks that started on February 28, causing oil prices to rise and igniting speculations about a world recession.
On Thursday, Macron said that it would be impractical to launch a military operation to open the strait, following U.S. President Donald Trump’s urging U.S. allies to make efforts towards reopening the strait.
Defense ties
Macron reported following the summit on Friday that the nations, both being significant arms producers, would work towards improving their defence relations.
“What we wish to do is to give this cooperation a modern aspect,” Macron said, citing joint exercises, more cooperation in production, and in critical military capabilities.
“We desire on either side to arm ourselves with more strategic depth in the manufacture of military equipment.”
Lee also added that the countries will also increase their collaboration in the security areas, including aerospace and defence.
To cooperate in areas such as critical minerals, semiconductors, quantum technologies, nuclear energy and wind power, the office of Lee said that South Korea and France are to sign a series of preliminary agreements.
Lee also added that the countries wanted to upscale bilateral trade to $20 billion by 2030, compared to 15 billion in 2025.
Lee emphasised memoranda of understanding, which were to be signed between the state-owned Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power in South Korea and French companies Orano and Framatome, noting that this would assist in securing the fuel supply at the Korean nuclear power plants, as well as establish the joint entry into the nuclear market.
Lunch and K-pop
“The two leaders will have lunch after their summit, accompanied by about 140 government officials and business executives from both countries. Felix, a K-pop boy band member of Stray Kids who has been an honorary ambassador to France, will also be present,” the office of Lee said.
On Thursday, a banquet attended by the leaders and their wives was served by chef Son Jong-won, who was on Netflix’s popular “Culinary Class Wars”, the Blue House said. Gifts were also prepared in the form of signed CDs of the leading K-pop groups such as BTS, Stray Kids and G-DRAGON to be given to the First Lady of France, Brigitte Macron.
The French president will then give a speech at Yonsei University in Seoul following the summit and a business forum with Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, which was announced by the Blue House.
The Elysee stated that Macron will visit the CEOs of Samsung, Naver and Hyundai Motor as part of the visit in an attempt to increase the French exports to South Korea, as well as to lure the Korean investment in the French industry and technology market.
