Emmanuel Macron, the French president on a state visit to Korea, on the 3rd addressed the U.S.-Israeli invasion of Iran, saying, "If we start to justify military intervention on the grounds that we do not like a particular country or regime, the credibility of efforts to uphold international law will inevitably collapse."
Macron answered this way when a student asked about the current international situation during a meeting with students held in the afternoon at Daewoo Hall at Yonsei University in Seodaemun District, Seoul, saying, "The situation is currently facing considerable difficulties."
He said, "We have agreed on principles and norms to build an international order centered on the United Nations, but as the United States itself shakes the principles of the international order, double standards are now emerging."
Macron said that while he, too, has many points of disagreement with the Iranian regime, he does not believe problems can be solved through military operations or bombings alone. He also cited past cases in which the United States intervened militarily in Middle Eastern countries such as Iraq and Afghanistan but failed to resolve the problems.
He said, "The sovereignty of each country must be respected, and any change of system is for the people of that country to decide," adding, "Our top priority now is the fastest possible cease-fire and negotiations, and enabling the international community to transparently monitor Iran's nuclear activities."
He also said the current war is having a major impact on energy markets, adding, "We are working to secure the safety of strait shipping lanes and to ease tensions in cooperation with the countries concerned," and, "In my talks with President Lee Jae-myung, we also exchanged views on cooperation in these areas."