President Lee Jae Myung on April 17 will take part in a global videoconference on the Strait of Hormuz Maritime Freedom of Navigation Initiative hosted by the U.K. and France. Shown is President Lee on April 16 speaking at a meeting of his senior aides at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul. (Cheong Wa Dae)

By Xu Aiying

President Lee Jae Myung will take part in an international videoconference hosted by the U.K. and France on freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

The U.K. Prime Minister's Office on April 16 announced that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron will jointly chair the online meeting on the afternoon of April 17 in Paris, with about 40 countries participating.

President Lee is expected to emphasize the need for global solidarity to ensure the stability of energy supply chains and free passage through the strait.

The British prime minister's office said, "The leaders will focus on supporting the fragile ceasefire in the region and ensure shipping routes are reopened and secured through the Strait for the long term, complementing ongoing diplomatic efforts to reinforce peace."

"Discussions will also include supporting the vital work of the International Maritime Organisation, who will dial into the call, to ensure the safety of seafarers and vessels."

"The unconditional and immediate reopening of the Strait is a global responsibility, and we need to act to get global energy and trade flowing freely again," the office quoted Prime Minister Starmer as saying. "Emmanuel Macron and I are clear in our commitment to establish a multinational initiative to protect freedom of navigation."

President Macron on April 13 said through his X account called "this international mission" (led by France and the U.K.) "purely defensive" and will proceed regardless of the "parties to regional confrontation."

xuaiy@korea.kr