The visit was arranged to highlight cultural cooperation between the two countries ahead of the museum’s planned opening in June, marking the 140th anniversary of diplomatic ties between South Korea and France.
Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, toured major areas of the museum with Catherine Pégard, France’s minister of culture; Philippe Bertoux, France’s ambassador to South Korea; and Laurent Le Bon, president of the Pompidou Center, along with other French government and cultural figures. They were joined by Lee Seong-su, chairman of the Hanwha Foundation, and Kim Dong-won, CEO of Hanwha Life.
Pompidou Center Hanwha was created by remodeling an annex of the 63 Building in Yeouido. It was designed by French architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte and built as a four-story museum with a total area of 11,000 square meters.
Macron also met with South Korean artists, including internationally recognized figures Kimsooja and Lee Bae, as well as emerging artists such as Kim Heecheon and Yoo Jun-young.
“Pompidou Center Hanwha will serve as a bridge between France and Korea and become a platform that leads dialogue between the art communities of both countries,” Macron said. He added that he hoped the two sides would expand artist exchanges and residency programs to build a closer creative partnership.
Lee said the visit “once again confirms the meaning of cooperation the two countries have built through culture and the arts” as they mark 140 years of diplomatic ties. He said Pompidou Center Hanwha will work as a cultural platform linking South Korea and France and will broaden international cultural exchanges through a range of programs.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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