President Lee discusses Hormuz-related issues with Macron… Cheong Wa Dae “It should not be defined as a troop dispatch” - 경향신문

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President Lee Jae Myung and French President Emmanuel Macron are greeting after a joint press announcement at the Elysee Palace in Paris on the 8th (local time). Yonhap News

While on a state visit to France, President Lee Jae Myung exchanged views with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on the 8th (local time) on major international issues, including the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, the Russia-Ukraine war, and peace on the Korean Peninsula. Cheong Wa Dae, however, stressed that the two leaders did not discuss the Strait of Hormuz on the premise of a troop deployment.

A senior Cheong Wa Dae official met reporters at the press center set up in Paris that day and said, “You should not define today’s agenda between the two leaders as a troop deployment,” adding, “Our discussions have remained at how we might participate in ensuring stable passage through the Strait of Hormuz as proposed by France and the United Kingdom. It would be a step too far to say that a troop deployment was discussed.”

After holding a summit with President Macron at the Elysee Palace in Paris that day, President Lee said in a joint press statement, “The Republic of Korea and France will 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.”

On the issue of passage through the Strait of Hormuz, President Macron also said, “The multinational mission is a peaceful one, and as soon as the relevant consent is obtained, we will cooperate (with Korea),” adding, “Above all, we must find a peaceful solution regarding freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.”

A senior Cheong Wa Dae official said, “We are consulting with France, the United States, and the United Kingdom on the basis that we will participate in and contribute to international movements for freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz,” while noting, “The two leaders merely exchanged views, and there has been no new progress.” He said, “Recognizing that stability in the Strait of Hormuz is important, President Lee discussed with a basic position of concretizing ways to contribute based on our national interest and public consensus.”

With the Ministry of National Defense dispatching a fact-finding team to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that day to assess the situation in the Middle East, some speculated that the government had in fact begun procedures for an actual troop deployment. On this, the official said, “Nothing has been decided,” adding, “The dispatch of the fact-finding team should be interpreted as part of the review process.” As for the government’s statement that it is reviewing ‘military contribution’ to the Strait of Hormuz, the official said, “This does not necessarily mean that combat, non-combat, or search operations are being considered.”

Cheong Wa Dae is seen as taking a cautious stance on deployment because of the significant repercussions it could entail. Parliamentary approval is required to send troops, but criticism has emerged not only from civil society but also within the ruling party that a deployment would lack justification. If troops are sent, there is a possibility that Iran will retaliate against Korea. On the 7th (local time), Iran warned that if Korea deploys troops to the Strait of Hormuz, it would “lead to serious consequences.”

Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that Iran inquired with Korea about its actual intention to deploy troops. The official said, “After seeing media reports, Iran asked us at the working level about our position (on deployment),” adding that he conveyed the Korean government’s position that “it is under review and nothing has been decided.”

The two leaders also exchanged views on peace on the Korean Peninsula and the Russia-Ukraine war. President Lee said, “President Macron also showed unwavering support and a willingness to cooperate on Korean Peninsula policy,” adding, “At a time when security in Northeast Asia and Europe is more closely interconnected than ever, the two countries will continue to work closely together for peace and stability in the international community, including the Korean Peninsula.”

President Macron said, “North Korea is now unabashedly supporting Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine,” adding, “On this, the two countries share a common vision of an international order based on international law.” He said, “For peace and security on the Korean Peninsula, the Republic of Korea can always count on France’s unwavering support.”