South Korea and France Pledge Deeper Defense, Hormuz Strait Cooperation After Paris Summit

The summit was the centerpiece of Lee's two-day state visit to France. After laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and participating in an official welcome ceremony, Lee held a one-on-one lunch with Macron at the Élysée Palace, followed by an expanded summit and a joint press conference.

"We agreed to achieve a genuine leap forward in defense and security cooperation in order to jointly respond to the uncertainties of the international order," Lee said. He added that the two governments would move quickly toward signing a reciprocal military logistics support agreement. South Korea and France also signed an amended protocol to their existing pact on protecting military secrets, expanding the list of French officials with access to classified material and tightening rules on its handling.

Hormuz Strait security featured prominently. "South Korea and France agreed to continue close coordination so that freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and the stability of global supply chains can be restored as soon as possible," Lee said.

Seoul officials cautioned that the discussion should not be read as a decision on troop deployment. South Korea has been weighing various contributions, including military options, but officials say no decision has been made. Any deployment, even of a small number of personnel, would require National Assembly approval under South Korean law.

On the economic side, Lee announced an agreement to pursue $20 billion (about 27 trillion won) in two-way trade by 2030. Roughly 20 Korean and French companies participated in a business roundtable on new investment opportunities, and trade promotion agencies KOTRA and Business France signed related agreements.

Why This Matters

Hormuz Strait security affects global energy supply chains; South Korea is heavily dependent on Middle East oil imports, and France has naval assets in the region. Closer coordination could stabilize a critical chokepoint.
The deepening of defense ties between a key Asian ally of the United States and a European power signals a broadening of security partnerships beyond traditional alliances, particularly as the international order faces uncertainties.
The $20 billion trade target reflects an ambition to boost economic links alongside security cooperation, with potential benefits for both economies.

Background

South Korea and France have historically maintained diplomatic and economic relations, but defense cooperation has been relatively limited. The Hormuz Strait, connecting the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea, is a vital passage for oil tankers and LNG carriers. Recent tensions in the region, including attacks on commercial vessels and Iranian seizures, have prompted countries to consider naval deployments and coordination. South Korea's constitutional requirement for parliamentary approval of troop deployments adds a domestic political dimension to any military commitment abroad.

Key Perspectives

South Korea: The government seeks to diversify its security partnerships while managing domestic legal constraints. The emphasis on "coordination" rather than immediate deployment allows flexibility, but pressure from allies to contribute militarily may grow.
France: Paris aims to reinforce its presence in the Indo-Pacific and secure supply chains. Deeper defense ties with South Korea align with its strategy of building partnerships with like-minded democracies in the region.
Critics and skeptics: Some observers caution that military discussions could inflame tensions in the Middle East or overextend South Korea's defense posture. Domestically, the National Assembly may resist any deployment that appears to commit troops without clear strategic rationale or parliamentary debate.

What to Watch

The South Korean National Assembly's stance on potential Hormuz Strait deployment and whether the government submits a motion for approval.
Progress on the reciprocal military logistics support agreement and the amended military secrets protocol.
Movement toward the $20 billion trade target, particularly in AI and nuclear energy sectors.
Any new incidents in the Strait of Hormuz that could accelerate or complicate joint planning.

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