As an international summit led by the United Kingdom and France convenes to ensure free passage through the Strait of Hormuz, which has been blocked by the Middle East war, the Korean government has also confirmed its attendance.
On the 16th (local time), the British prime minister's office said that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron will co-chair a video conference on the 17th afternoon with about 40 countries for the "Freedom of Navigation Initiative in the Strait of Hormuz." President Lee Jae-myung is also expected to attend by video.
Although the meeting will be held by video, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, in addition to the co-chairs, are expected to travel to Paris, France, where it will be hosted. Leaders of the European Group of Seven (G7) countries will all attend in person.
The British prime minister's office said, "Leaders from around the world will gather to establish an international mission to reopen the Strait of Hormuz," and emphasized, "This international mission will be strictly defensive in nature."
In practice, the mission is expected to focus on supporting safe maritime transport and clearing mines in the Strait of Hormuz in the postwar period. In addition, leaders are set to discuss joint efforts to restore freedom of navigation in the strait and mitigate the economic shock, with security cooperation and industry support also cited as key agenda items.
Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump asked Korea, Japan, the United Kingdom and France to dispatch warships to open the Strait of Hormuz, but allies did not comply, and the United Kingdom and France stressed that they would only carry out a defensive multinational mission after the fighting.
In remarks released in advance, Prime Minister Starmer said, "We must reassure the shipping industry and support mine clearance to return to global stability and security," and added, "President Macron and I have a clear intention to establish a multinational initiative to protect freedom of navigation."
Meanwhile, the United States, a party to the war, is not expected to attend.