Lee’s France Trip Enhances South Korea-France Relations with Key Agreements

Seoul: The South Korean and French leaders have created a significant opportunity to deepen their countries' bilateral relations, which were first established 140 years ago. This development comes as a series of agreements were signed this week, likely to strengthen partnerships in areas such as nuclear power plants and artificial intelligence (AI). According to Yonhap News Agency, President Lee Jae Myung concluded his four-day visit to France, returning with several agreements designed to enhance cooperation in sectors such as defense manufacturing, nuclear energy, and other advanced industries. "It marked a chance to concretely and practically develop cooperation between the two countries," remarked Seoul's National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac, referring to Lee's trip, which included a two-day state visit to Paris. The visit commenced in Nice, where President Lee and French President Emmanuel Macron jointly chaired a meeting focused on developing the film industry. Following this, Lee and Macron held sum mit talks in Paris, marking their second bilateral talks of the year after an earlier meeting in Seoul in April. "With this week's meeting, the two leaders have made reciprocal state visits to each other's country in about five months, solidifying the trust and bond between the leaders," Wi emphasized. The latest summit appears to have generated fresh momentum for South Korea-France ties, with 16 agreements signed before and during Lee's visit, including nine signed on Tuesday during the Lee-Macron summit. Notably, one agreement aims to upgrade an existing pact on military secret information protection, enhancing cooperation in national defense and the defense industry. Two memorandums of understanding (MOUs) were signed, calling for joint research and development projects in AI, semiconductor, and quantum technology sectors, alongside enhanced cooperation in industrial policies and trade. A new partnership between Samsung Electronics Co. and French AI startup Mistral AI will see Samsung become a "strategic investor," developing an exclusive AI model to protect its semiconductor information. On nuclear energy, Seoul and Paris agreed to collaborate on next-generation nuclear reactors and diversify supply chains while establishing a high-level dialogue for civil nuclear energy cooperation. Wi highlighted this as an "important axis of cooperation," noting that the two countries, currently competitors in nuclear power plant exports, might become partners. The cultural sector also witnessed significant collaboration. At the Lumiere Summit in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, France, Lee and Macron discussed challenges in the industry, unveiling a joint investment initiative of 500 million euros each over five years to support the cinema and visual industries. Internationally, the leaders engaged in "in-depth" discussions on conflicts in the Strait of Hormuz, committing to close cooperation to ensure freedom of navigation and supply chain recovery. "Based on the deep friendship and trust built over the past 140 years, we agreed to jointly open a new (door for the) next 140 years," President Lee stated, emphasizing the longstanding diplomatic ties between the countries.