South Korea, France top diplomats meet at G7 Marseille to deepen ties, discuss Ukraine
Synopsis
South Korean FM Cho Hyun used the G7 Marseille ministerial as a dual-track diplomatic sprint — shoring up a newly minted strategic partnership with France on one side, and locking in nuclear energy and defence cooperation with Saudi Arabia on the other, all while calling for restored freedom of navigation in the increasingly fraught Strait of Hormuz.
Key Takeaways
South Korean FM Cho Hyun met French FM Jean-Noel Barrot in Marseille on the sidelines of the G7 foreign ministers' meeting on 10 November 2026 .
The two reviewed a bilateral 'strategic partnership' formalised in the 140th anniversary year of diplomatic ties, agreeing to expand high-tech industry cooperation.
South Korea is attending the G7 ministerial at France's invitation, its second such appearance this year after the March ministerial.
Cho also met Saudi FM Faisal bin Farhan , agreeing to deepen cooperation in nuclear energy , cutting-edge technologies , and defence .
Both Seoul and Riyadh stressed the need to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz amid disruption from the ongoing Iran war .
The G7 meeting is expected to address AI and Middle East developments, following the G7 leaders' summit in June .
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun held talks with his French counterpart Jean-Noel Barrot in Marseille on the sidelines of a Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers' meeting, with discussions spanning bilateral relations, the war in Ukraine, artificial intelligence, and regional security. The meeting, confirmed by Seoul's foreign ministry on Tuesday, 10 November 2026, marks a deepening of ties between the two nations in what has been designated the 140th anniversary year of diplomatic relations.
Strategic Partnership at the Centre
The two ministers reviewed the elevation of South Korea-France relations to a 'strategic partnership' formalised this year. They agreed to expand practical and mutually beneficial cooperation across high-tech industries and other sectors. Minister Cho specifically requested that France continue its support for and interest in Korean companies operating across Europe.
South Korea's Presence at G7 Marseille
The G7 foreign ministers' meeting — the second such gathering this year — is being held on Monday and Tuesday in Marseille, southern France, which currently holds the G7 presidency. South Korea was invited to participate, following its attendance at the first ministerial meeting in March. This is the second consecutive G7 ministerial where Seoul has been present as a guest.
South Korean foreign ministry spokesperson Park Doo-soon said at a press briefing: 'The participation is aimed at strengthening our partnership with G7 members and enhancing our standing as a globally responsible country.' The meeting is expected to address key global challenges including artificial intelligence (AI) and developments in the Middle East, following the G7 leaders' summit in June.
Cho-Saudi Arabia Talks: Nuclear Energy and Hormuz
On the margins of the same G7 gathering, Minister Cho also held a separate bilateral with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan. The two agreed to further expand cooperation in nuclear energy, cutting-edge technologies, and the defence industry. Notably, both sides affirmed the importance of restoring the principle of freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route that has been significantly disrupted amid the ongoing Iran war.
Minister Cho conveyed sympathy to Saudi Arabia following recent Houthi militant attacks on the kingdom that resulted in casualties and damage to civilian and economic infrastructure. This comes amid broader regional instability that has drawn increased diplomatic attention from East Asian nations with significant energy and trade stakes in the Gulf.
Broader Diplomatic Context
South Korea's active participation in G7 ministerial forums reflects Seoul's broader strategic ambition to position itself as a key player in multilateral diplomacy beyond its immediate region. The dual bilateral engagements — with both France and Saudi Arabia — underscore Seoul's effort to diversify partnerships across Europe and the Middle East simultaneously. The next steps in both the South Korea-France strategic partnership and Seoul-Riyadh cooperation are expected to be outlined in formal follow-up communiqués.
Point of View
Post-Gaza world order. The Hormuz navigation statement is the most substantive signal here; it implicates South Korea directly, given its reliance on Gulf energy imports. The strategic partnership with France, while headline-worthy, now needs deliverables — particularly for Korean firms navigating EU industrial policy headwinds. The real test of Seoul's 'globally responsible country' branding will be whether these sideline handshakes translate into durable frameworks, or remain the useful-but-vague output of busy ministerial corridors.
NationPress
10 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did South Korean FM Cho Hyun and French FM Jean-Noel Barrot discuss at Marseille?
The two ministers discussed bilateral ties, the war in Ukraine, and agreed to expand cooperation in high-tech industries as part of their newly elevated 'strategic partnership', which was formalised in the 140th anniversary year of South Korea-France diplomatic relations. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the G7 foreign ministers' gathering in Marseille.
Why is South Korea attending the G7 ministerial meeting in Marseille?
South Korea was invited by France, which holds the G7 presidency, to participate in the foreign ministers' meeting — the second such invitation this year after Seoul attended the first ministerial in March. The South Korean foreign ministry said the participation aims to strengthen partnerships with G7 members and bolster Seoul's profile as a globally responsible country.
What was agreed between South Korea and Saudi Arabia at Marseille?
South Korean FM Cho Hyun and Saudi FM Faisal bin Farhan agreed to expand cooperation in nuclear energy, cutting-edge technologies, and the defence industry. They also jointly emphasised the importance of restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz amid disruption caused by the ongoing Iran war.
What is the significance of the Strait of Hormuz statement?
The joint call to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz is significant because the waterway has been effectively choked off amid the ongoing Iran war, disrupting global energy shipments. South Korea, as a major energy importer, has a direct economic stake in the route's security.
What global issues is the G7 Marseille ministerial expected to address?
According to South Korea's foreign ministry, the meeting is expected to address key global challenges including artificial intelligence (AI) and developments in the Middle East, building on discussions from the G7 leaders' summit held in June 2026.
