Archive · 10 Sep 2026
South Korean President Lee Concludes France Visit, Deepening Bilateral Cooperation
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung visited France for four days.
He met French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss working together.
The countries want to cooperate on artificial intelligence, semiconductors and quantum technologies.
They also discussed defence and nuclear energy.
Lee and Macron announced a joint investment initiative for the cinema industry.
Lee met the speaker of France’s National Assembly as well.
He said the two countries should build another 140 years of cooperation.
Lee was scheduled to return to South Korea on Thursday.
President Lee Jae Myung concluded a four-day visit to France and was scheduled to arrive in South Korea on Thursday.
Lee and French President Emmanuel Macron co-chaired a cinema-industry summit event and announced a joint investment initiative.
South Korea and France agreed to strengthen cooperation in artificial intelligence, semiconductors and quantum technologies.
The countries also discussed cooperation in defence and nuclear energy during Lee’s summit with Macron.
Lee told French National Assembly Speaker Yaël Braun-Pivet that the two countries could begin a new 140 years of cooperation.
- Who
- South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, French President Emmanuel Macron and French National Assembly Speaker Yaël Braun-Pivet.
- What
- Lee completed a four-day state visit focused on cooperation in advanced industries, culture, defence, nuclear energy and parliamentary relations.
- When
- The visit lasted four days, with Lee’s state visit taking place from Tuesday to Wednesday; he was scheduled to arrive home Thursday.
- Where
- France, including Paris and Saint-Paul-de-Vence.
- Why
- To strengthen South Korea-France cooperation, including collaboration in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, quantum technologies, cinema, trade, investment and social policy.
- Visit length
- Four days
- Return schedule
- Lee was scheduled to arrive in South Korea on Thursday.
- Cinema initiative
- Lee and Macron announced a joint investment initiative to support the cinema industry.
- Technology agreement
- South Korea and France signed an initial memorandum of understanding covering artificial intelligence, semiconductors and quantum technologies.
- MOU activities
- The countries plan regular meetings, joint research and cooperation in attracting investment to each other’s markets.
- Other summit topics
- Defence and nuclear energy
- Diplomatic milestone
- The countries are marking the 140th anniversary of diplomatic ties this year.