France and South Korea have agreed to strengthen defence ties and energy security cooperation following a two-day visit by French President Emmanuel Macron to Seoul.
Macron’s state visit - the first by a French president in more than a decade - comes as both countries confront defence and energy security challenges linked to the Iran war.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said the two leaders discussed ways to address challenges triggered by the conflict.
“President Macron and I agreed to share policy-related experience and strategies in order to jointly address the economic and energy crises caused by the Middle East war,” Lee said after the summit on Friday (3 April).
He added that both countries had committed to ensuring safe maritime transport through the Strait of Hormuz.
Macron said France and South Korea - both major arms producers - would deepen cooperation in military production and conduct joint exercises.
"On both sides, we want to equip ourselves with greater strategic depth in military production,” he said.
Lee added that cooperation would also expand in security-related sectors, including aerospace and defence.
The two countries are expected to sign preliminary agreements covering sectors such as critical minerals, semiconductors, quantum technologies, nuclear energy and wind power, according to Lee’s office.
They aim to increase bilateral trade from $15 billion in 2025 to $20 billion by 2030.
Lee highlighted a memorandum of understanding between South Korea’s state-run nuclear operator, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, and French companies Orano and Framatome.
He said the agreement would help secure fuel supplies for South Korean nuclear plants and support joint entry into the global nuclear market.
Like many Asian economies, South Korea relies heavily on energy imports, including shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran has effectively closed the waterway in retaliation for U.S.-Israeli attacks that began on 28 February, pushing up global energy prices.
Macron said on Thursday it would be unrealistic to launch a military operation to reopen the strait, after U.S. President Donald Trump urged allies to work towards restoring access.
Macron’s visit to South Korea followed a trip to Japan on Wednesday, where he and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi agreed to coordinate closely on efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that he thinks there is a chance of a peace being reached with Ukraine. He told the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Russia that he believed there was "a chance of finding a solution," to the conflict.
The U.S. has launched a fresh wave of strikes on Iran, targeting Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) sites as Tehran retaliated against U.S. positions across the region, while Iranian officials said at least five people were killed and dozens wounded at a wedding near Sirik.
The Iranian Health Ministry said at least 18 people were killed and 142 others injured in U.S. airstrikes carried out between 30 August 30 and 2 September.
The European Union's foreign policy chief Kaia Kallas says the bloc will tighten enforcement of sanctions against Russia over its war in Ukraine. EU foreign ministers were meeting in Ireland following renewed Russian strikes on cities across Ukraine.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 3rd of September, covering the latest developments.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that he thinks there is a chance of a peace being reached with Ukraine. He told the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Russia that he believed there was "a chance of finding a solution," to the conflict.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has rejected claims that Moroccan authorities orchestrated July’s deadly mass border crossing into Ceuta, saying Spain has found no evidence that Rabat planned or carried out the incident.
Denmark’s Security and Intelligence Service, PET, has warned that Russia is actively preparing sabotage operations against targets in the country, with defence companies supporting Ukraine seen as a particular focus.
Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan have agreed to raise bilateral trade to $200 million within two years, as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif concluded a three-day visit to Kyrgyzstan.
The latest escalation between the United States and Iran is being fought not only on the ground and at sea, but increasingly in the skies above the Gulf where a missile launch or intercepted drone can force an aircraft thousands of metres above the region to change course.
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