South Korea and France Discuss Strait of Hormuz

On Friday, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung announced plans to collaborate with French President Emmanuel Macron to facilitate commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, despite Macron having stated just a day earlier that it would be “unrealistic” to expect France’s assistance in this matter.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy also expressed his support on Thursday, indicating a willingness to protect the strait.

During a joint press conference in Seoul, President Lee mentioned, “President Macron and I have agreed to share our policy experiences to tackle the economic and energy crisis related to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. We are committed to working together to mitigate uncertainty in the global economy.” He emphasized the importance of energy security and plans to enhance cooperation in nuclear and offshore wind projects, alongside ensuring safe maritime routes through the Strait of Hormuz.

However, the two leaders did not clarify what specific actions would be taken to open the strait, nor did they entertain questions from reporters.

Macron remarked earlier that using military force to open the Strait of Hormuz was impractical, sharing his thoughts on the varying opinions regarding military intervention. He pointed out that while some advocate for aggressive measures, such proposals have not been officially endorsed by France, calling them unrealistic due to the inherent risks involved.

He added that any successful reopening of the strait, crucial for energy, fertilizer, and trade flows, would require dialogue with Iran.

Macron also dismissed criticisms from former President Donald Trump regarding the U.S.-Israel conflict and European nations’ lack of support for U.S. allies, expressing frustration but refraining from engaging in the criticism directly.

In related news, a French-owned Maltese-flagged container ship named Kribi successfully traversed the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday. It was reported to be sailing along Oman’s coastline, broadcasting its ownership message just before entering Iranian waters, which some interpret as a sign that Iran no longer views France as an adversary.

Zelenskiy emphasized Ukraine’s readiness to assist in unblocking the Strait of Hormuz, noting that while Ukraine has not been specifically engaged in discussions regarding this issue, he has conveyed that Ukraine would be prepared to support defense efforts in the region during his visits to Middle Eastern countries.

He remarked that finding a diplomatic resolution is critical, paralleling the current situation to Ukraine’s past efforts in establishing grain corridors in the Black Sea despite opposition from Russia. Unlike Macron, Zelenskiy did not shy away from the notion of military assistance for protecting ships from potential threats.

Zelenskiy affirmed Ukraine’s capability to aid, should the request arise, suggesting that unilateral control of the waterways could be a potential approach, similar to their management of grain corridors. However, he noted that no formal requests for such assistance have been made yet, but Ukraine stands ready to contribute its knowledge if called upon.