President Yoon Suk Yeol stated on September 8 that Korea and France have agreed to embark on a "new 140 years" of friendship and trust built over the past 140 years.
Following a summit with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace in Paris, President Yoon outlined six key areas for cooperation: defense and security, economy and industry, advanced industry and science and technology, human exchange and public safety, culture, and international peace and prosperity.
He emphasized, "As Korea and France become more deeply connected and broaden the horizons of cooperation, the lives of our citizens will become richer, and future generations will have more opportunities."
Below is the full text of President Yoon's joint press statement with France.
Dear President Macron and the people of France,
I sincerely thank you for warmly welcoming me and our delegation to this historic Élysée Palace, where the history of the French Republic lives on.
France is a key nation in the G7, EU, and NATO, leading Europe in economy, advanced science and technology, strategic industries, and security. It is also a representative soft power country that has long inspired the lives of people around the world through culture, art, thought, and language.
The year 2026 marks a special milestone as it is the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and France.
In April, President Macron's first visit to Korea since taking office, and the first state visit by a French president in 11 years, elevated our bilateral relationship to a "global strategic partnership" for the first time in 22 years, opening a new chapter in Korea-France relations.
I am honored to be making a state visit to France as the President of Korea just five months later.
During our meeting today, President Macron and I had in-depth discussions on six areas of cooperation to further solidify our "global strategic partnership" based on shared values and capabilities.
First, we agreed to make substantial progress in defense and security cooperation to jointly respond to uncertainties in the international order.
In April, President Macron began his state visit at the War Memorial of Korea in Yongsan. I also paid my respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Arc de Triomphe as the first event of my state visit to France today. This symbolizes our commitment to firmly uphold the values of freedom, democracy, and peace that our two nations have jointly protected.
We will also refine our institutional framework for information exchange by signing the amended protocol of the Military Secret Information Protection Agreement, which was concluded during our April summit.
We agreed to expedite negotiations to conclude a Mutual Logistics Support Agreement to enhance the stability and efficiency of military cooperation between our two countries.
Next week, the joint air force exercise "Pegasus" will take place in Seoul, and the mutual port calls of our navies scheduled for the second half of this year will serve as examples of increased mutual understanding and operational capability between our militaries, demonstrating our closer strategic cooperation.
As a leading defense industry nation in Europe, France has participated in various projects to enhance the capabilities of the Korean military. Korean companies are also expanding next-generation technology cooperation with leading French defense firms like Airbus.
We will actively explore mutually beneficial cooperation projects based on France's accumulated technological expertise and Korea's competitive manufacturing capabilities.
Second, we aim to strengthen economic and industrial cooperation with a goal of achieving $20 billion in trade by 2030.
During this visit, a Korea-France Business Roundtable involving over 20 companies from both nations will be held to seek new cooperation and investment opportunities in advanced technology and future industries.
Two memorandums of understanding in the fields of industrial competitiveness enhancement and intellectual property cooperation will support the advancement of economic cooperation and joint growth between our countries.
Additionally, the cooperation agreements signed between KOTRA and Business France will significantly contribute to strengthening comprehensive support systems for companies entering each other's markets.
President Macron and I also candidly discussed the challenges faced by our companies on the ground. We will continue to work closely to ensure that businesses in both countries can operate in a stable and predictable environment and create more opportunities in each other's markets.
Third, we agreed to specify cooperation in advanced industries and science and technology, which are core pillars of our collaboration, connecting them to industries and markets in areas such as AI, quantum, space, nuclear, and biotechnology.
Following the signing of a letter of intent for cooperation in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and quantum technology in April, we have now signed memorandums of understanding that include specific cooperation plans such as expanding mutual market access for startups and joint R&D between companies and research institutions.
Furthermore, based on the achievements of our joint research and practical cooperation accumulated through the Korea-France Space Forum, which has been ongoing for ten years, we have signed an agreement to promote cooperation in the space industry to expand collaboration in the private space industry ecosystem.
We also agreed to strengthen cooperation in the nuclear field.
We will further develop the comprehensive nuclear cooperation agreed upon with France in April by signing additional cooperation documents in nuclear research and development and fuel supply, enhancing collaboration in the development of next-generation reactors and diversifying supply chains in the long term.
Based on the agreement made with President Macron in April, we will also establish a high-level dialogue channel for civilian nuclear cooperation.
Additionally, three memorandums of understanding between the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology and French research institutions and companies are expected to promote joint research in developing next-generation technologies that enrich the lives of future generations, such as eco-friendly materials, climate-resilient crops, and new drugs utilizing quantum computing, while also expanding opportunities for our biotech companies to enter the European market.
Fourth, on the occasion of the 140th anniversary of Korea-France diplomatic relations, we agreed to expand exchanges and opportunities for our citizens, especially future generations, and to strengthen efforts to ensure public safety.
The amendment of the air transport agreement between our two countries, which was signed in 1974, has finally been completed after more than ten years of negotiations since 2016, allowing for smoother travel for our citizens and businesses.
By introducing fair competition clauses, we will enhance consumer rights in both countries, expand routes between the two regions through code-sharing, and modernize regulations to include provisions for expanding long-distance air networks, strengthening mutual support in case of emergencies, and ensuring environmentally friendly operations.
This will provide our citizens with more stable and expanded air services when traveling between our two countries.
In April, President Macron and I signed an amendment to expand participation in the working holiday program between our two countries, which will take effect on October 1. I believe this will open wider doors of opportunity for our youth, as President Macron mentioned.
Additionally, under the memorandum of understanding signed in April for the exchange of language assistant teachers, Korean assistant teachers will be sent to France starting in October. I hope such opportunities will gradually expand, allowing our future generations to come closer to and understand each other's languages and cultures.
We also signed a memorandum of understanding to expand cooperation between leading universities in the field of science and technology. As the President has already explained, this will enhance exchanges and joint research between our young researchers and the Paris-Saclay University, which has produced twelve Fields Medal winners, and allow them to participate directly in research activities in each other's university laboratories, thereby activating the network among the next generation of researchers from both countries.
We have also strengthened cooperation for the safety of our citizens. Based on the security cooperation agreement to be signed between our police forces, we will work together to respond more effectively to transnational crime and ensure that our citizens can enjoy safer daily lives.
Furthermore, we agreed to enhance consular cooperation between our two countries to promote human, economic, and cultural exchanges between our citizens, and to support the smooth settlement of our citizens, including students, businesspeople, and artists who stay long-term, through information sessions on residence permits and the establishment of ongoing consultation channels.
Fifth, we will deepen cultural cooperation between our two countries to contribute to the development of international creative industries and enhance international cooperation.
In April, President Macron invited me to co-chair the "Lumière Summit," and I accepted without hesitation. Thank you.
Yesterday, in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, our two countries agreed to a €1 billion Lumière Partnership to promote the development and globalization of the film industry.
The "Memorandum of Understanding on Cultural Cooperation" signed between our cultural ministries last May has also been newly established to include training talent in the film industry and activating joint investments, thereby laying the groundwork for combining the strengths of our creative industries and expanding opportunities for K-content in Europe. I sincerely appreciate your consideration.
As France has led the emergence and growth of the film industry, and Korea has gained global attention for its unique storytelling and outstanding production capabilities, I look forward to our two countries joining hands to usher in a new golden age of cinema, often referred to as the "seventh art."
Sixth, we agreed to further expand our close cooperation as a joint effort for peace and prosperity in the international community.
I am grateful for the opportunity to participate in this year's G7 summit at President Macron's invitation, where I was able to contribute to discussions on building new partnerships, restoring international solidarity, and achieving balanced, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth.
Korea will continue to responsibly contribute to solving common challenges facing our international community through cooperation with the G7.
In April, I expressed Korea's commitment to contributing to the stability and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz during a meeting led by France and the UK.
Korea and France will continue to work closely to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and the prompt recovery of global supply chain stability.
France is playing a central role in mobilizing European capabilities to end the war in Ukraine and restore peace. Korea has also supported Ukraine in various fields. Our two countries pledge to continue working with the international community for the swift restoration and reconstruction of peace in Ukraine.
Dear President Macron, you have shown unwavering support and willingness to cooperate on our policies regarding the Korean Peninsula. On behalf of the people of Korea, I thank you for your special attention.
In a time when security in Northeast Asia and Europe is more closely interconnected than ever, our two countries have agreed to continue working closely for peace and stability in the international community, including the Korean Peninsula.
Today, in Paris, just five months after our meeting in Seoul, we have prepared for a new 140 years based on the deep friendship and trust built over the past 140 years.
As Korea and France become more deeply connected and broaden the horizons of cooperation, the lives of our citizens will become richer, and future generations will gain more opportunities and hope. Furthermore, I believe our capacity to address common challenges facing the international community and contribute to global peace and prosperity will also grow.
Once again, I sincerely thank President Macron and the people of France for the warm hospitality shown during this visit. Merci beaucoup!
* This article has been translated by AI.
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