France and South Korea pledge joint effort to reopen Strait of Hormuz

(SeaPRwire) –   On Friday, French President Emmanuel Macron and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung pledged to collaborate on efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and alleviate global economic instability stemming from the Middle East conflict.

Their meeting in Seoul occurred amid criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump, who faulted allies for not backing the U.S. and Israeli stance against Iran. This visit marked Macron’s first to South Korea since his 2017 inauguration, forming part of an Asian tour that included Japan.

At the outset of their discussions, Macron stated to Lee that both nations could contribute to stabilizing the Middle East, specifically addressing Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz, a situation that has caused turmoil in global energy markets.

During a subsequent joint televised briefing, Macron emphasized the importance of Franco-South Korean cooperation to reopen the strait and reduce hostilities in the region. Lee confirmed that the two leaders had affirmed “their resolves to cooperate to secure the safe shipping route in the Strait of Hormuz.”

The leaders did not entertain questions from the press and provided no specifics on their strategy for reopening the narrow waterway between Iran and Oman, a passage for approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil.

“We need to clearly define, at the international level, the conditions for a process to ease the crisis and conflict in the Middle East,” Macron stated. “We need to ensure that the Strait of Hormuz is reopened.”

Lee mentioned that he and Macron had agreed to broaden cooperation in sectors like technology and energy. Officials from both countries also signed agreements for collaboration on nuclear fuel supply chains, a joint investment in a South Korean offshore wind project, and cooperation on critical minerals. South Korea is boosting nuclear reactor output to address energy shortages, and Lee has advocated for a quicker shift to renewable energy, noting the war has highlighted the nation’s significant dependence on imported fossil fuels.

Macron’s trip to Asia coincides with Trump expressing increased dissatisfaction with allies. In a Wednesday speech, Trump remarked that Americans “don’t need” the strait, but nations that do “must grab it and cherish it.”

Previously, during a White House Easter event, Trump urged his Asian allies and China to participate in reopening the waterway.

“Let South Korea, you know, we only have 45,000 soldiers in harm’s way over there, right next to a nuclear force — let South Korea do it,” Trump said. “Let Japan do it. They get 90% of their oil from the strait. Let China do it.”

The United States maintains approximately 28,000 troops in South Korea, a figure lower than the 45,000 cited by Trump. The presence of U.S. forces is intended to deter potential aggression from North Korea.

Macron has previously stated that a military operation to reopen the Strait of Hormuz is not a realistic option.

South Korean officials have indicated they are discussing the matter with Washington and that Seoul is not contemplating paying transit fees to Iran to guarantee fuel shipments through the strait.