The French leader today spoke with his South Korean counterpart, President Moon Jae-in, to pledge France “will continue to play its role and make contributions” towards resolving the standoff and making next month’s Winter Olympics a success.
Mr Macron also welcomed progress made by the two Koreas on striking a deal on the North’s participation at the games, South Korean news agency Yonhap has reported.
The phone call between the two premiers comes just a day after Seoul and Pyongyang agreed to march under a united flag at the 17-day Winter Olympics.
The two nations will also set up a joint women’s ice hockey team.
A spokesman for the South Korean leader said: “President Moon explained the outcome of South-North Korea talks on North Korea’s participation in the Pyeongchang Winter Olympic Games and said the country will make all necessary preparations to make sure the upcoming Olympic Games will be successfully held in a safer and peaceful environment.
“President Macron said he welcomed the South-North dialogue while praising President Moon for his active efforts to ensure peace in the Korean Peninsula and the world.
“In addition, he said France will continue to play its role and make contributions in the process of resolving the North Korean nuclear issue while reaffirming its support for the South Korean government’s policy.”
France and South Korea reportedly enjoy a close relationship, which the two leaders said had steadily improved since they met face-to-face at the G20 summit in July.
Today’s call between Mr Moon and Mr Macron is the third of its kind since the two leaders came into office last year.
The PyeongChang Winter Olympics will take place just 50 miles from the heavily fortified demilitarised zone (DMZ) which separates the two nations, who are still technically at war having never signed a peace treaty after the end of the Korean War in 1953.
And despite the North’s apparent desire for a peaceful games, concerns remain over the safety of the event, with Japanese officials warning other nations not to be taken in by Kim Jong-un’s “charm offensive”.
The South Korean leader has also invited Mr Macron to visit South Korea for the Winter Olympics.
According to Mr Moon’s spokesman, the French President said he will “seriously consider the invitation”.
READ MORE: Could North Korea be using the Winter Olympics as a way to start peace talks with the United States?