South Korean President Lee Jae-myung's state visit to France has resulted in the signing of 16 cooperation documents between the governments, institutions, and businesses of both countries.
Of these, nine agreements were exchanged following a summit, while the remaining seven were signed separately during the state visit.
According to the Blue House on September 8, the exchanged documents focus on cooperation in advanced technology and industry. The two countries agreed to promote joint research and development projects in AI, semiconductors, and quantum technology through memorandums of understanding (MOUs), as well as support investment attraction in AI and quantum fields and identify business opportunities between semiconductor companies and research institutions.
The MOU on industrial cooperation and competitiveness includes the establishment of ministerial-level industrial strategy dialogues and sector-specific working groups to institutionalize cooperation in industrial policy, trade and investment, supply chains, critical minerals, and industrial technology.
On the corporate level, Samsung Electronics and French AI firm Mistral AI have signed a strategic investment agreement. Samsung will participate as a strategic investor in Mistral AI and jointly develop a proprietary in-house AI model that can protect key semiconductor know-how.
Mistral AI secured a total of €3 billion in a Series D funding round led by Samsung, with a post-investment valuation exceeding €21 billion. However, the specific amount invested by Samsung and its equity stake have not been disclosed.
In the security sector, a protocol to amend the military secret information protection agreement was signed. This revision reflects France's updated classification system and strengthens restrictions on access to military secrets, enhancing the institutional foundation for military information exchange and defense cooperation between the two countries. The amended aviation agreement, which has been under negotiation for about a decade, includes principles for fair competition, security and safety enhancement, and environmental sustainability.
The two nations will also establish a practical system to exchange information on space industry policies and support mutual market entry for small and medium-sized enterprises and startups. Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power and France's Orano will promote long-term cooperation in enrichment services based on new enrichment facilities, aiming to diversify supply sources and stabilize the long-term nuclear fuel supply chain.
Cultural and creative industry exchanges and joint investments will be promoted, along with strengthened cooperation in cultural and artistic institutions and cultural heritage. The scope of intellectual property cooperation will expand from existing examination collaboration to include sharing AI examination standards and best practices, as well as areas of intellectual property finance and commercialization.
The seven agreements signed separately during the state visit focused on public safety, trade and investment, bio, and academic exchanges. Police forces from both countries will enhance cooperation in responding to transnational crime, tracking fugitives, and scientific investigation and training.
KOTRA and Business France will jointly promote investment and trade seminars, economic delegations, and support for startups.
The Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology has signed three MOUs with French institutions in the fields of biotechnology, plant science, and quantum and AI-based drug development. The K-STAR alliance of South Korean science and technology specialized universities and the Graduate School of Science will expand student and young researcher exchanges with Paris-Saclay University, as well as joint research in basic science and quantum and AI.
The mutual logistics support agreement currently under negotiation and a future MOU for nuclear research and development between the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute and Framatome are not included in these 16 agreements. The two countries plan to expedite the signing of the mutual logistics support agreement and pursue joint research in safety technology for next-generation small modular reactors (SMRs), nuclear basic science, and waste management.
President Lee held a summit with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace on the same day, discussing ways to expand cooperation in advanced technology, industry and trade, defense and aerospace, and culture, followed by an agreement exchange ceremony and a joint press conference.
Of these, nine agreements were exchanged following a summit, while the remaining seven were signed separately during the state visit.
According to the Blue House on September 8, the exchanged documents focus on cooperation in advanced technology and industry. The two countries agreed to promote joint research and development projects in AI, semiconductors, and quantum technology through memorandums of understanding (MOUs), as well as support investment attraction in AI and quantum fields and identify business opportunities between semiconductor companies and research institutions.
The MOU on industrial cooperation and competitiveness includes the establishment of ministerial-level industrial strategy dialogues and sector-specific working groups to institutionalize cooperation in industrial policy, trade and investment, supply chains, critical minerals, and industrial technology.
On the corporate level, Samsung Electronics and French AI firm Mistral AI have signed a strategic investment agreement. Samsung will participate as a strategic investor in Mistral AI and jointly develop a proprietary in-house AI model that can protect key semiconductor know-how.
Mistral AI secured a total of €3 billion in a Series D funding round led by Samsung, with a post-investment valuation exceeding €21 billion. However, the specific amount invested by Samsung and its equity stake have not been disclosed.
In the security sector, a protocol to amend the military secret information protection agreement was signed. This revision reflects France's updated classification system and strengthens restrictions on access to military secrets, enhancing the institutional foundation for military information exchange and defense cooperation between the two countries. The amended aviation agreement, which has been under negotiation for about a decade, includes principles for fair competition, security and safety enhancement, and environmental sustainability.
The two nations will also establish a practical system to exchange information on space industry policies and support mutual market entry for small and medium-sized enterprises and startups. Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power and France's Orano will promote long-term cooperation in enrichment services based on new enrichment facilities, aiming to diversify supply sources and stabilize the long-term nuclear fuel supply chain.
Cultural and creative industry exchanges and joint investments will be promoted, along with strengthened cooperation in cultural and artistic institutions and cultural heritage. The scope of intellectual property cooperation will expand from existing examination collaboration to include sharing AI examination standards and best practices, as well as areas of intellectual property finance and commercialization.
The seven agreements signed separately during the state visit focused on public safety, trade and investment, bio, and academic exchanges. Police forces from both countries will enhance cooperation in responding to transnational crime, tracking fugitives, and scientific investigation and training.
KOTRA and Business France will jointly promote investment and trade seminars, economic delegations, and support for startups.
The Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology has signed three MOUs with French institutions in the fields of biotechnology, plant science, and quantum and AI-based drug development. The K-STAR alliance of South Korean science and technology specialized universities and the Graduate School of Science will expand student and young researcher exchanges with Paris-Saclay University, as well as joint research in basic science and quantum and AI.
The mutual logistics support agreement currently under negotiation and a future MOU for nuclear research and development between the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute and Framatome are not included in these 16 agreements. The two countries plan to expedite the signing of the mutual logistics support agreement and pursue joint research in safety technology for next-generation small modular reactors (SMRs), nuclear basic science, and waste management.
President Lee held a summit with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace on the same day, discussing ways to expand cooperation in advanced technology, industry and trade, defense and aerospace, and culture, followed by an agreement exchange ceremony and a joint press conference.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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