In celebration of the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between South Korea and France, leaders from both countries' political, business, and industrial sectors will gather to explore solutions for industrial transformation through the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and green technology.
The French Chamber of Commerce in Korea (FKCCI) announced on October 13 that it will co-host the 'France-Korea Tech Summit 2026' with the Korea Electronics Association (KEA) on October 16 at COEX in Seoul.
This event, held during the 2026 Korea Electronics Show (KES), will focus on the theme 'AI & Greentech: Shaping the Next Era of Innovation.' It is aimed at tech experts, manufacturers, startups, and venture capitalists, with free admission available for those who register in advance.
The summit will kick off with a keynote speech by Lee Ji-hyung, CEO of Invest Seoul, titled 'Seoul's AI Turning Point: A New Chapter in France-Korea Innovation.' This will be followed by two panel discussions addressing AI transformation strategies in corporate settings and the establishment of sustainable industrial ecosystems, along with a pitch contest featuring eight promising tech companies from both countries.
The first session, 'AI as the Key Driver of Corporate Strategy,' will spotlight practical execution strategies that connect AI technology's potential to tangible business outcomes and corporate value. Lee Jang-hyuk, a professor at Korea University Business School and CEO of AligoAI, will moderate the discussion, which will include panelists such as Arthur Barichard, Director of the French Digital and AI Committee; Choi Kyung-il, CEO of KT SAT; and Jang Moon-seok, Head of the Seoul AI Hub AX Innovation Center and a professor at Seoul National University.
The second session, 'Technologies for a Sustainable Future,' will seek collaborative approaches to proactively respond to the demand for key technologies such as new materials, smart energy systems, and efficient industrial processes, in line with the global shift toward environmental sustainability. Kim Yeon-ji, a specialist at the Green Climate Fund (GCF), will lead this session, with panelists including Herve Peno, CEO of Veolia Korea; Corinne Bercini, CEO of Genesink; and Park Gi-jun, Head of the AI Research Institute at Korea Electric Power Corporation.
The pitch contest, starting at 2 p.m., will feature eight deep-tech companies from Korea and France that combine social value with technological innovation. The participating companies include First Lab (CEO Hwang Bo-min-seong), Genesink (Theo Grim, Asia-Pacific Business Development Manager), ID4US (Christophe Bernard, CEO), Langcode (Kim Min-jun, CEO), Nest (Jang Seung-won, CEO), Thelios (Patrice Canac, CEO), T-HIVE (Hani Sheri, CEO), and Voltify (Maxime Allo, CEO).
Additionally, from October 13 to 16, a 'French Pavilion' will be set up in Hall A of COEX (Booth A290) in conjunction with the event. Five companies, including Genesink, ID4US, Thelios, T-HIVE, and Voltify, will showcase next-generation innovative technologies such as advanced electronic components, ultrasonic fingerprint recognition, nano-thermal measurement, industrial quality inspection, and battery-based eco-friendly freight rail, while conducting one-on-one business consultations with domestic companies and buyers.
This event is supported by official partners and sponsors, including global outdoor advertising company JCDecaux, Asiance, Invest Seoul, Forvis Mazars, IT-Concept, and Veolia, to facilitate the establishment of a technology cooperation network between the two countries.
Meanwhile, the French Chamber of Commerce in Korea is intensifying exchanges between the two countries' economies in light of its 40th anniversary and the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations. This year, South Korea and France celebrated their 140th anniversary of diplomatic ties with visits from French President Emmanuel Macron in April and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung in September, elevating their diplomatic relationship to a 'global strategic partnership.' As a result, both countries are expanding cooperation beyond traditional sectors such as luxury goods and food and beverage to include various fields such as economy, security, and advanced technology, with the FKCCI actively promoting exchanges between companies from both nations.
In particular, the FKCCI is working on establishing a dedicated space for supporting companies from both countries called 'Maison France' and will co-host a 'Symposium Commemorating the 140th Anniversary of France-Korea Diplomatic Relations' at the French National Assembly in Paris this month to reflect on the history of bilateral relations and continuously seek future cooperation opportunities.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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