MACRON AND LEE PLEDGE COOPERATION TO REOPEN STRAIT OF HORMUZ AMID MIDDLE EAST TENSIONS. (PHOTO).

 Macron and Lee pledge cooperation to reopen Strait of Hormuz amid Middle East tensions

  French President Emmanuel Macron and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung agreed Friday to coordinate efforts aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz and reducing global economic instability tied to the ongoing war in the Middle East. The agreement came during a summit in Seoul, held as tensions continue to disrupt global energy markets due to Iran’s control over the critical shipping route. Macron emphasized at the start of the meeting that both nations could play a constructive role in stabilizing the region, particularly as the strait—through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes—remains a focal point of geopolitical strain. During a joint televised briefing, both leaders stressed the importance of cooperation to ensure safe maritime transit and to ease broader regional hostilities, though they did not outline specific steps for reopening the waterway.

The meeting also focused heavily on expanding bilateral cooperation beyond security concerns, with agreements reached on nuclear fuel supply chains, offshore wind development in southern South Korea, and collaboration on critical minerals. South Korea has been ramping up nuclear energy production to offset supply disruptions while also accelerating its transition to renewable energy, highlighting vulnerabilities tied to fossil fuel dependence exposed by the conflict. Macron’s visit is part of a broader Asia tour and comes amid growing pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has criticized allies for not doing more to address the crisis and has urged countries reliant on the strait to take greater responsibility. While Trump called on nations such as South Korea, Japan, and China to step in, South Korean officials indicated they remain in communication with Washington but are not considering measures such as paying transit fees to Iran. Macron, for his part, has expressed skepticism about resolving the situation through military means, signaling a preference for coordinated international efforts to de-escalate tensions and restore stability.