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The limitations of the Paris-Seoul 'strategic partnership'

From the perspective of South Korean intelligence, the outcome of French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent visit to Seoul is mixed.

Subscribers only Back-Door Diplomacy 22.04.2026

Thales Alenia Space eyes Seoul's future military communications satellite programme

French President Emmanuel Macron (left) listens to South Korean President Lee Jae Myung during a press conference in Seoul, on 3 April 2026. © Jung Yeon-je/EPA/Pool/MaxPPP

Subscribers only Defence, Contractors 15.04.2026

Lee Jae-myung's delicate balancing act to keep Beijing and Washington on side

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his counterpart from the Republic of Korea, Lee Jae-myung, in Beijing, on 5 January 2026. © Xie Huanchi/Xinhua News Agency/Newscom/MaxPPP

Subscribers only Defence, Back-Door Diplomacy 10.04.2026

French GEOINT players see mitigated success in Seoul and Tokyo

French intelligence industry players were very well represented in the economic delegation that joined President Emmanuel Macron on his visits to South Korea and Japan last week. But despite the opportunities opened up by the desire to reduce ties with the United States, very few solid contracts materialised.

Subscribers only Defence, Space, Contractors 07.04.2026

Nuclear submarines: influential Sejong Institute's VP lays out strategic plan for French-Korean partnership

The vice-president of South Korean think-tank, the Sejong Institute, Cheong Seong-chang in Seoul, South Korea, on 13 April 2018. © Jeon Heon-Kyun/EPA/Newscom/MaxPPP

Subscribers only Defence 02.04.2026

Chemical weapons threat from Pyongyang spurs Paris-Seoul cooperation

Intelligence Online has learnt that a highly confidential exercise was conducted in early March in South Korea, under US leadership, in which a delegation from the French Armed Forces’ Joint CBRN Defence Centre took part.

Subscribers only Operations, Defence 30.03.2026

In Seoul, Macron expected to prioritise G7, AI and telecoms

In light of Seoul reviving its naval nuclear programme, the upcoming meeting between Lee Jae-myung and Emmanuel Macron will serve to assess Paris's ability to offer meaningful partnerships, outside the realm of strategic nuclear power, while remaining in line with Washington's constraints and Seoul's industrial ambitions.

Subscribers only Defence, Back-Door Diplomacy 25.03.2026

French President Emmanuel Macron chairs a video conference of G7 leaders at the Elysee Palace in Paris, on 11 March 2026.

Tokyo and Seoul put differences on hold to placate Washington

US President Donald Trump has finally got his way after pressing Japan and South Korea to project a more constructive image of East Asia.

Subscribers only Back-Door Diplomacy 19.03.2026

South Korean defence mission airs its dirty laundry in Washington courts

A former employee of the South Korean embassy in Washington is accused of fraudulently obtaining her housing allowance. By taking legal action in this case Seoul wants to make clear that it is addressing its vulnerabilities.

Subscribers only Defence 06.02.2026

The South Korean embassy in Washington, DC.

Spotlight
Macron to visit Tokyo and Seoul

Emmanuel Macron is to travel during the cherry blossom season to the two North-East Asian countries, long neglected by the French president. His tour will provide a catch-up session for these two relationships, where defence cooperation has been stymied.

Subscribers only Defence 30.01.2026

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and French President Emmanuel Macron at the G20 summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, on 22 November 2025.

Behind the scenes of secret Seoul-Beijing talks

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung's recent visit to China, notable for his talks with Xi Jinping, went beyond protocol to become a key part of geopolitical manoeuvring in the region. Their meeting revealed the two countries' complex web of interests.

Subscribers only Back-Door Diplomacy 12.01.2026

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung (left) takes a selfie with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Beijing, 5 January 2026.

Geospatial intelligence: Seoul surges while Pyongyang stalls

Having emerged from a difficult period, South Korea has seen a successful year in geospatial intelligence. In contrast, North Korea's space programme has stagnated, despite enjoying backing from Russia.

Subscribers only Space 22.12.2025

Launch of the South Korean satellite Kompsat-7 by a Vega-C rocket in Kourou, French Guiana, on 1 December 2025.

Berlin's intelligence alliance with Seoul in the balance

Still reeling from Seoul's missteps, Germany's BND is closely monitoring the major shake-up underway within South Korea's National Intelligence Service and its new approach in the face of Pyongyang.

Subscribers only Agencies 08.12.2025

The headquarters of the Federal Intelligence Service BND, in Berlin, Germany.

South Korean defence industry seeking allies in France

On the heels of the major South Korean defence trade fair ADEX held in Seoul from 20 to 24 October, sources from the local defence industry told Intelligence Online how disappointed they were at Paris's lack of interest in developing defence ties with Seoul.

Subscribers only Defence 19.11.2025

Chinese warship shadows French frigate in Yellow Sea

A People's Liberation Army warship followed France's Prairial frigate as she sailed to enforce sanctions on North Korea. The French crew noticed a remarkable number of Chinese fishing boats, a growing cause of concern for Seoul.

Subscribers only Defence 18.11.2025

The French frigate Prairial at the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force base in Yokosuka, on 16 October 2025.

Challengers catching up with Franco-Korean partnership for Thai frigate contract

The Royal Thai Navy's plan to acquire a new vessel has attracted interest from numerous international groups. South Korea's Hanwha Ocean, in partnership with French companies, is currently in pole position, but the competition is getting closer than ever.

Subscribers only Defence 17.11.2025

Joint naval exercise in the South China Sea with two US ships and a Singaporean frigate associated with a Royal Thai Navy frigate, in May 2017.

Seoul intel weighs options as Trump seeks summit with Kim Jong-un

US President Donald Trump's request for a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on the sidelines of this week's APEC summit in South Korea has stirred up a frenzy among Seoul's intelligence services, which have scrambled to explore the implications.

Subscribers only Back-Door Diplomacy 28.10.2025

Spymaster
Lee Jong-seok, the academic driving South Korea's new security shift

The new spy chief's appointment signals more than a mere change of leadership. The former unification minister is the embodiment of President Lee Jae-myung's new foreign policy goals to keep channels open with China and North Korea while maintaining a balance with the United States.

Subscribers only Agencies, Operations 10.10.2025

The director of South Korea's National Intelligence Service, Lee Jong-seok.

Spotlight
Seoul at epicentre of Washington, Beijing and Pyongyang dealings

With Donald Trump set to return to the Asian stage and Kim Jong-un not averse to new talks, South Korea is at the centre of a three-way diplomatic game. Between Chinese ambitions, US caution and North Korean calculations, President Lee Jae-myung is trying to maintain strategic equidistance.

Subscribers only Back-Door Diplomacy 02.10.2025

Seoul steps up its satellite surveillance of Pyongyang

South Korea, which launched its fourth spy satellite on 22 April, is gaining significant capacity to monitor North Korea.

Subscribers only Space 28.04.2025

South Korea launched its second spy satellite from Florida, US, on 7 April 2024.

Seoul's defence contract hopes hampered by internal battles in Bangkok

To compete with the Swedish Gripen and the American F-16, Seoul is relying on Thai government heavyweight Phumtham Wechayachai to help sell its FA-50 fighter aircraft to Thailand. The minister has run into opposition, however, from Royal Thai Air Force top brass.

Subscribers only Corporate Intel 14.01.2025

Phumtham Wechayachai, Thailand's defence minister and deputy prime minister.

Seoul struggles to develop geospatial intelligence in face of Pyongyang's aggressive stance

South Korea is seeking to boost its geospatial intelligence in a particularly difficult military and commercial context. The country is faced with aggressive posturing from North Korea, whose capabilities have advanced thanks to backing from Moscow.

Subscribers only Space 18.11.2024

South Korea's first medium-sized next-generation ground-observing satellite, on 22 January 2021.

Royal Thai Navy's frigate acquisition trail leads to offshore family holding company

The Royal Thai Navy's project to acquire a second vessel, possibly from Hanwha Ocean, supplier of the first, is well underway. But the South Korean company's local partner, High-Tech AJ, belongs to the Inthraphuvasak family, whose connections stretch all the way to the British Virgin Islands.

Subscribers only Corporate Intel 05.11.2024

The first Bhumibol Adulyadej class frigate on delivery to the Royal Thai Navy in 2019.

Arms marketing agents battle it out in Manila, part 1: South Korean networks smooth naval contracts

Intelligence Online has traced the recent activities of South Korean military business networks in the Philippines, with President Yoon Suk-yeol's recent visit to Manila aimed at accelerating Seoul's push into the country's defence markets.

Subscribers only Corporate Intel 14.10.2024

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol during his official visit to Manila on 7 and 8 October.

Philippine Navy reprioritises shopping list

The confidential list of the Philippine Navy's proposed upgrades, which Intelligence Online has been able to procure, could prove to be a windfall for defence providers. That is, once it has been accepted by the Philippine government.

Subscribers only Corporate Intel 10.10.2024

Intelligence Online has obtained a list of the Philippine Navy's projects.

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All articles - South Korea

The limitations of the Paris-Seoul 'strategic partnership'

Thales Alenia Space eyes Seoul's future military communications satellite programme

Lee Jae-myung's delicate balancing act to keep Beijing and Washington on side

French GEOINT players see mitigated success in Seoul and Tokyo

Nuclear submarines: influential Sejong Institute's VP lays out strategic plan for French-Korean partnership

Chemical weapons threat from Pyongyang spurs Paris-Seoul cooperation

In Seoul, Macron expected to prioritise G7, AI and telecoms

Tokyo and Seoul put differences on hold to placate Washington

South Korean defence mission airs its dirty laundry in Washington courts

Spotlight
Macron to visit Tokyo and Seoul

Behind the scenes of secret Seoul-Beijing talks

Geospatial intelligence: Seoul surges while Pyongyang stalls

Berlin's intelligence alliance with Seoul in the balance

South Korean defence industry seeking allies in France

Chinese warship shadows French frigate in Yellow Sea

Challengers catching up with Franco-Korean partnership for Thai frigate contract

Seoul intel weighs options as Trump seeks summit with Kim Jong-un

Spymaster
Lee Jong-seok, the academic driving South Korea's new security shift

Spotlight
Seoul at epicentre of Washington, Beijing and Pyongyang dealings

Seoul steps up its satellite surveillance of Pyongyang

Seoul's defence contract hopes hampered by internal battles in Bangkok

Seoul struggles to develop geospatial intelligence in face of Pyongyang's aggressive stance

Royal Thai Navy's frigate acquisition trail leads to offshore family holding company

Arms marketing agents battle it out in Manila, part 1: South Korean networks smooth naval contracts

Philippine Navy reprioritises shopping list

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All articles - South Korea

The limitations of the Paris-Seoul 'strategic partnership'

Thales Alenia Space eyes Seoul's future military communications satellite programme

Lee Jae-myung's delicate balancing act to keep Beijing and Washington on side

French GEOINT players see mitigated success in Seoul and Tokyo

Nuclear submarines: influential Sejong Institute's VP lays out strategic plan for French-Korean partnership

Chemical weapons threat from Pyongyang spurs Paris-Seoul cooperation

In Seoul, Macron expected to prioritise G7, AI and telecoms

Tokyo and Seoul put differences on hold to placate Washington

South Korean defence mission airs its dirty laundry in Washington courts

Spotlight Macron to visit Tokyo and Seoul

Behind the scenes of secret Seoul-Beijing talks

Geospatial intelligence: Seoul surges while Pyongyang stalls

Berlin's intelligence alliance with Seoul in the balance

South Korean defence industry seeking allies in France

Chinese warship shadows French frigate in Yellow Sea

Challengers catching up with Franco-Korean partnership for Thai frigate contract

Seoul intel weighs options as Trump seeks summit with Kim Jong-un

Spymaster Lee Jong-seok, the academic driving South Korea's new security shift

Spotlight Seoul at epicentre of Washington, Beijing and Pyongyang dealings

Seoul steps up its satellite surveillance of Pyongyang

Seoul's defence contract hopes hampered by internal battles in Bangkok

Seoul struggles to develop geospatial intelligence in face of Pyongyang's aggressive stance

Royal Thai Navy's frigate acquisition trail leads to offshore family holding company

Arms marketing agents battle it out in Manila, part 1: South Korean networks smooth naval contracts

Philippine Navy reprioritises shopping list

Create a notification

About Intelligence Online

Subscription

Intelligence Online on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

Spotlight
Macron to visit Tokyo and Seoul

Spymaster
Lee Jong-seok, the academic driving South Korea's new security shift

Spotlight
Seoul at epicentre of Washington, Beijing and Pyongyang dealings