President Yoon Suk Yeol will visit France from September 6 to 9 at the invitation of President Emmanuel Macron. During the visit, President Yoon will co-chair the 'Lumière Summit' with President Macron and participate in a series of state visit events, including a summit meeting and a dinner in Paris.
National Security Office Director Wi Sung-lak announced the itinerary and expected outcomes of the visit during a briefing on September 4.
Wi stated, "This visit to France follows President Macron's invitation for President Yoon to co-chair the 'Lumière Summit' during his visit to Korea in April, which led to the proposal for this state visit to France."
President Yoon will arrive in France on the evening of September 6. The following day, he will attend the international film and video summit, the 'Lumière Summit,' in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, co-chairing the event with President Macron.
At the summit, President Yoon will discuss the future of the global film and video industry with France, a country that has played a pivotal role in the growth of the film industry. The government aims to expand the foundation for 'K-content' and the entry of domestic companies into European and global markets through this meeting.
From September 8, President Yoon will engage in bilateral activities in Paris as part of his state visit for two days.
His first schedule includes laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Arc de Triomphe, followed by an official welcome ceremony hosted by the French government.
Next, he will have a private lunch with President Macron at the Élysée Palace, with no other attendees present.
Following the private lunch, the two leaders will hold an expanded summit meeting with their respective delegations. They are expected to discuss responses to the rapidly changing international order and cooperation in security, economy, science and technology, culture, and human exchanges.
President Yoon will also participate in a Korea-France business roundtable with over 20 companies from both nations. In the evening, the Macron couple will host a state dinner at the Élysée Palace.
On the final day of the visit, September 9, President Yoon will meet with François de Rugy, President of the French National Assembly. He will also hold a luncheon meeting with the Korean community in France and meet with the Secretary-General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
The government envisions this visit as a way to solidify the 'global strategic partnership' between Korea and France, which was elevated in April. The two countries plan to expand cooperation in advanced technology fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), space, nuclear energy, and biotechnology, as well as promote joint research and development, corporate collaboration, and market entry.
They will also discuss institutional support measures to enhance exchanges in youth and science and technology and to steadily expand interactions between the citizens of both countries.
Wi emphasized, "Completing mutual state visits with France after five months will help build close relationships with major countries and further strengthen Korea's strategic diplomatic foundation."
France is the second-largest economy in the European Union and the seventh-largest in the world. It holds a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council and is the chair of the Group of Seven (G7) this year. Approximately 800,000 Koreans visit France annually, and about 28,000 Koreans reside there, including over 10,000 adoptees.
Wi concluded, "We will prepare for this state visit to ensure it serves as a starting point for solidifying the trust and friendship built over the past 140 years between Korea and France, laying a foundation for the next 140 years."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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