President Lee: "Close Cooperation on Hormuz"…Macron: "We Can Cooperate on Middle Eastern Issues"

President Lee Reaffirms Korea's Commitment to Hormuz Cooperation
Macron Mentions Collaboration Including the UK and a Peaceful Multinational Mission
Joint Efforts for Peace in Ukraine and on the Korean Peninsula

As domestic interest grows regarding the possible deployment of troops to the Strait of Hormuz, President Lee Jaemyung and French President Emmanuel Macron have agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation to ensure freedom of navigation and restore stability in the region. Following President Lee’s reaffirmation of Korea’s “commitment to contribute” to international efforts for stability in the Strait of Hormuz, President Macron referenced collaboration that includes the United Kingdom and even mentioned a “multinational mission,” drawing attention to the possible modalities of Korea’s involvement going forward. However, neither president provided specifics on the form of participation.

President Jae Myung Lee and French President Emmanuel Macron greet each other after a joint press conference at the Élysée Palace in Paris on the 8th (local time). September 9, 2026. Photo by Yonhap News.

On the 8th (local time), after holding a summit with President Macron at the Élysée Palace in Paris, President Lee stated during a joint press announcement, “The Republic of Korea and France have agreed to continue close cooperation, so that freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and the stability of global supply chains can be restored as soon as possible.”

President Lee added, “In April, I participated in the Hormuz Strait Conference led by France and the United Kingdom and expressed Korea’s intention to contribute to stability and freedom of navigation in the strait.” This reconfirms Korea’s existing stance at the summit level to play a role in ensuring stability in the Strait of Hormuz.

President Macron also placed significant emphasis on the Hormuz issue as a key bilateral security cooperation agenda. He underlined that Korea and France can also collaborate in the Middle East, stressing the necessity of freedom of navigation and peaceful resolution. He said that in April, discussions were held—together with the UK—on what role each country could play to normalize the Strait of Hormuz, expressing willingness to work together for the restoration of peace in the region.

During this process, President Macron also mentioned a “multinational mission.” He indicated that, based on the premise that such missions must be of a peaceful nature, France would cooperate as soon as consensus is established. With ongoing domestic debates on the potential deployment to Hormuz, the upcoming specifics of cooperation plans will likely clarify the Korean government’s options.

The two leaders also framed security issues not just in Hormuz, but also in Ukraine and on the Korean Peninsula, as part of a unified framework of cooperation encompassing Europe and Northeast Asia. President Macron referred to North Korea’s support for Russia’s war in Ukraine, emphasizing that the two countries share a common vision for an international order based on international law. He further stated that Korea can count on France’s unwavering support for peace and security on the Korean Peninsula.

President Lee Jae-myung and French President Emmanuel Macron are holding a joint press conference at the Élysée Palace in Paris on the 8th (local time). 2026.9.8 Yonhap News Agency.

Regarding the war in Ukraine, President Lee said, “The two countries pledge to continue working with the international community for peace restoration and reconstruction in Ukraine.” President Macron then thanked Korea for “demonstrating steadfast willingness to support and cooperate” on Korean Peninsula policy.

He further emphasized, “Security in Northeast Asia and Europe is more closely interconnected than ever before,” and added, “Both countries will continue close cooperation for peace and stability worldwide, including on the Korean Peninsula.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.