French President Emmanuel Macron travels to South Korea, seeking stronger ties on AI and energy after a Japan visit marked by veiled criticism of the US.
TOKYO: French President Emmanuel Macron departed Japan for South Korea on Thursday, continuing an Asian tour focused on strategic partnerships.
His visit follows a stop in Japan where he signed agreements on critical minerals and defence cooperation with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
The diplomatic trip unfolds against a backdrop of public friction with US President Donald Trump.
Trump criticised France as “very unhelpful” regarding the Iran war and mocked Macron’s personal life earlier this week.
In an apparent response, Macron praised Europe’s “predictability” while in Japan. He contrasted it with actors that “could hurt you without even informing you”.
Trump also singled out South Korea in his remarks, questioning why US troops should secure the Strait of Hormuz for other nations. He suggested Seoul should contribute more, noting its reliance on the key oil route.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung published an opinion piece in Le Figaro calling for enhanced cooperation with France. He highlighted artificial intelligence, nuclear energy, and space as key collaborative areas.
“In an increasingly fragmented and uncertain international environment, partnerships between democratic nations that share common values are no longer merely desirable but are becoming strategically essential,” Lee wrote.
Like Japan, South Korea depends heavily on energy imports via the Strait of Hormuz. The strait’s effective closure has disrupted global supplies and driven up prices.
The crisis has already forced Seoul to implement a fuel price cap, its first such measure since 1997, to stabilise its energy market.
Macron’s two-day schedule in South Korea includes a summit with President Lee and a visit to the Korean War Memorial. He will also attend an economic forum and a dinner with K-pop stars and filmmakers.
