UNJournal Lee Sung Jun | President Lee Jae-myung's state visit to France, marking the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, resulted in the signing of eight agreements and memoranda of understanding spanning defense, aviation, AI, semiconductors, quantum technology, nuclear energy, space and cultural cooperation, as the two nations moved to elevate their relationship to what officials described as future-oriented strategic cooperation.

The visit, which began in Paris on 8 September local time, marked the completion of reciprocal state visits between Lee and French President Emmanuel Macron within a span of just five months, following Macron's state visit to Korea in April.

Welcome ceremony and summit talks

President Lee opened his visit by laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier beneath the Arc de Triomphe, followed by an official state welcome ceremony. French officials organized welcoming events across the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs-Élysées and the Élysée Palace. Lee then held a roughly two-hour private luncheon with Macron at the Élysée Palace, followed by an expanded summit involving delegations from both countries. The two leaders also discussed international issues including the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and the war in Ukraine.

Agreements signed across multiple sectors

Following the summit, the two leaders attended a ceremony for the exchange of the eight agreements and MOUs. Samsung Electronics and France's Mistral AI also signed a separate investment agreement to develop a dedicated AI model that would allow Samsung to apply its semiconductor expertise while protecting its intellectual property. The two leaders subsequently attended a Korea-France Business Roundtable at the Hôtel de Marigny involving 20 companies from both countries, focused on expanding industrial cooperation and facilitating market entry and investment.

Defense and security cooperation

The two countries amended their 2001 General Security of Military Information Agreement to reflect France's updated security classification system and introduce new regulations on restricting access to classified military information. They also agreed to expedite conclusion of a Mutual Logistics Support Agreement currently under negotiation between the two militaries, and to expand cooperation in the defense industry combining French technology with South Korean production capabilities.

AI, semiconductors and nuclear energy

New MOUs in AI, semiconductors and quantum technology build on a letter of intent signed in April, aimed at facilitating market entry for AI startups and promoting joint research between companies and institutions. In nuclear energy, the two countries agreed to launch a high-level dialogue on civil nuclear energy, complementing the existing Korea-France Joint Committee on Nuclear Energy established in 1982. Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power also signed a new cooperation protocol with French company Orano, securing a new Western source for uranium enrichment and agreeing to collaborate on next-generation reactor safety technology.

Biotechnology, space and other sectors

The Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology signed three MOUs with French research institutions and companies for joint research in eco-friendly materials, climate-resilient crop technology, and treatments for intractable diseases. Cooperation was also expanded in space, intellectual property and industrial competitiveness.

Aviation, youth exchange and other measures

The two countries revised their aviation agreement to introduce provisions for fair competition and code-sharing arrangements, and updated environmental, safety and security regulations. Measures to expand youth exchange included raising the age limit for the working holiday program, dispatching Korean language teaching assistants to France, and fostering exchanges between science and technology universities. The two countries also established a framework for police cooperation against transnational crime.

State honors and cultural exchange

At the state banquet, President Macron awarded President Lee the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, France's highest distinction, and awarded First Lady Kim Hye-kyung the Grand Cross of the National Order of Merit. The banquet was attended by business and cultural figures including Federation of Korean Industries Chairman Ryu Jin and Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong, with a performance by singer Hwasa closing the event.

President Lee described being moved during an earlier meeting with French veterans of the Battle of Jipyeong-ri at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and said the visit had deepened his personal relationship with Macron. The two leaders exchanged gifts reflecting their countries' cultures, including a celadon gayageum presented by Lee to Macron, along with editions of author Han Kang's works, and a piano recording and traditional mother-of-pearl clutch bag presented to First Lady Brigitte Macron.

President Lee's remaining schedule in France includes a meeting with the President of the French National Assembly, a luncheon with the local Korean community, and a meeting with the OECD Secretary-General marking the 30th anniversary of Korea's OECD accession.