Updated : 2026-04-17 22:44:10 KST
Although a ceasefire has halted fighting in the Middle East, risks to global energy supply chains persist. A major virtual summit on reopening the Strait of Hormuz is set to begin soon, with South Korea among the participating nations. Chung Hye-lim reports. President Lee Jae Myung will join a virtual summit led by the UK and France on Friday, Korea Standard Time, according to the Blue House.
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The initiative, co-chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, seeks a multilateral solution to secure passage through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most vital shipping lanes. Around 70 to 80 participants, including countries and international organizations, have been invited. A senior presidential official said that Seoul decided to join the talks, citing both national and global interests. The official added that President Lee may deliver remarks during the meeting, and staff were "preparing for this possibility."
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initiative (특정한 문제 해결·목적 달성을 위한 새로운) 계획, 주도
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The meeting's agenda covers a broad range of issues, with a heavy focus on energy supply chains and the broader conflict in the Middle East. However, the official stressed that this international mission will be strictly defensive in nature. The talks come as the United Kingdom is distancing itself from Washington's current policy.
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in nature 사실상, 현실적으로
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Prime Minister Starmer said earlier this week that Britain would not support a proposed blockade of the Strait of Hormuz by U.S. President Donald Trump. France has also emphasized the need to restore free navigation, with President Macron calling for a coordinated, "strictly defensive" multinational effort. Macron added that the mission will only commence once hostilities in the Middle East have officially ended. Analysts say Friday's summit could help align separate diplomatic and security tracks into a more unified international response. Chung Hye-lim, Arirang News.
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영어 원문 출처 및 동영상 링크;
arirang news/World
https://m.arirang.com/news/view?id=295096