South Korea President Lee Jae-myung and France President Emmanuel Macron have pledged to strengthen defense cooperation and jointly address the economic and energy challenges stemming from the ongoing Middle East conflict.
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During a summit held in Seoul, both leaders emphasised the need for closer coordination to ensure energy security, particularly as global supply routes face disruptions. The discussions come amid heightened tensions affecting critical oil transit points such as the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of the world’s energy supplies passes.
President Lee highlighted the importance of sharing expertise and developing joint strategies to mitigate the war’s economic fallout. He noted that South Korea, heavily dependent on imported energy, remains particularly vulnerable to disruptions in global supply chains.
President Macron, meanwhile, expressed scepticism over the feasibility of military intervention to reopen disrupted shipping routes, describing such options as “unrealistic” under current conditions. He stressed that ongoing instability in the Middle East is already having a direct impact on global markets, contributing to rising energy prices and increasing fears of an economic slowdown.
French President Macron:
There is room, a space, to build new cooperation between Korea and France, in order to have such an agenda shared by Korea and France, and bringing with us other Europeans, Canada, Japan, India, Brazil, and Australia.
You start having a sort of third… pic.twitter.com/VwLsl4JgzC
— Clash Report (@clashreport) April 3, 2026
In addition to energy concerns, both countries agreed to deepen defense collaboration through expanded joint military exercises, enhanced strategic coordination, and increased cooperation in the defense industry. The move reflects a broader effort by major economies to adapt to evolving security challenges and geopolitical risks.
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The summit underscores growing international efforts to respond to the ripple effects of the Middle East conflict, which has disrupted energy supplies and heightened uncertainty in global markets. As tensions persist, partnerships like that between South Korea and France are expected to play a key role in maintaining stability and addressing shared economic and security concerns.