Lee Arrives in France, Co-chairs 'Lumière Summit' with Macron... Promoting K-Content

Over 150 Film, Video, and Gaming Figures from 30 Countries Attend
"Expanding the Foundation for Entry Into European and Global Markets"... Official State Visit Program in Paris Begins on the 8th

President Lee Jae-myung, who is on a state visit to France, will officially begin his tour schedule on the 7th (local time) by co-chairing the "Lumière Summit" with French President Emmanuel Macron.

President Lee Jae-myung, on a state visit to France, is seen on the 6th (local time) at Nice Côte d'Azur Airport in France, conversing while looking at a commemorative medal gifted by Eric Ciotti, Mayor of Nice (left), who came to greet him. 2026.9.7 Yonhap News Photo by Yonhap

Having arrived in Nice, France on the 6th, President Lee will attend the Lumière Summit held in Saint-Paul-de-Vence in southern France as joint chair alongside President Macron. The summit will be attended by around 150 participants, including senior executives, policymakers, political leaders, and figures from the culture and arts sectors in the film, broadcasting and video, and gaming industries from more than 30 countries around the world.

This invitation to the summit came at the suggestion of President Macron, who visited Korea on a state visit in April. At that time, President Macron requested that President Lee serve as joint chair of the Lumière Summit and also invited him for a state visit to France.

The Office of the President intends to use this summit as an opportunity to expand K-content's entry into the European and global markets. In a briefing held on September 4, National Security Adviser Wi Seong-rak stated, "At the Lumière Summit, France, which has led the birth and growth of the film industry, and Korea will co-chair discussions to shape the future of the global film and video industry. We will further expand the presence of K-content and our companies in European and global markets."

The film and video industry is one of the key areas of cooperation highlighted by President Lee during this visit to France. Beyond the traditional diplomacy and security partnerships, the goal is to put Korea's competitive cultural industries at the forefront of summit diplomacy to pioneer new markets.

Previously, immediately after arriving in Nice on the 6th, President Lee had his first official engagement—dining with creators from five continents to exchange views on the future of the global culture and content industry.

After completing the Lumière Summit schedule, President Lee will move to Paris and, from the 8th, carry out the bilateral state visit agenda. This will include a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Arc de Triomphe, an official welcome ceremony, and a one-on-one luncheon and expanded summit talks with President Macron at the Élysée Palace. Also scheduled are a Korea-France business roundtable with participation from more than 20 companies from both countries and a state banquet.

National Security Adviser Wi stated that this visit marks the completion of mutual state visits between the two leaders within five months of President Macron's state visit to Korea in April, adding, "We aim to establish close relationships with the leaders of major countries and further strengthen South Korea's strategic diplomatic foundation." The Office of the President plans to further solidify the "global strategic partnership" between the two countries, which was elevated in April, across security, economy, science and technology, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.