President Lee: "Trade with France to Reach $20 Billion by 2030... Stronger Cooperation on Hormuz Strait"

Launch of High-Level Civilian Nuclear Dialogue Channel

AI, Quantum, and Space Cooperation Expanded to Industry and Markets

Lee: "Solidifying the Global Strategic Partnership"

Mutual Logistics Support Agreement to Be Concluded Swiftly

President Lee Jae-myung and French President Emmanuel Macron have agreed to expand bilateral trade volume to 20 billion dollars by 2030 and to conclude a Mutual Logistics Support Agreement as soon as possible. In the field of nuclear energy, the two countries will establish a new high-level dialogue channel for civilian cooperation and strengthen collaboration on nuclear fuel supply chains and next-generation reactor R&D. In particular, with increased attention recently on the issue of the Hormuz Strait deployment, both countries have agreed to continue close cooperation to swiftly restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and the stability of global supply chains.

President Lee Jae-myung held a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace in Paris, France, on the 8th (local time). 2026.9.8 Yonhap News Agency
Photo by Yonhap

On the 8th (local time), following a summit meeting with President Macron at the Élysée Palace in Paris, President Lee announced this direction for South Korea-France cooperation through a joint press statement. Building on the upgrade of the bilateral relationship to a “Global Strategic Partnership” last April, the two leaders agreed to concretize cooperation across six areas: defense and security, economy and industry, advanced technology, people-to-people exchanges, culture, and international collaboration.

First, they agreed to elevate the level of defense and security cooperation. President Lee stated that the two countries have signed the revised protocol to the Military Secret Information Protection Agreement, which had been settled at their summit in April. He added that they would accelerate negotiations to conclude the Mutual Logistics Support Agreement as soon as possible, aiming to increase the stability and efficiency of military cooperation.

Military exchanges will also be expanded. Next week, the air forces of both countries will conduct the “Pegasus” joint exercises in Seoul, and a mutual port visit by their navies is planned for the second half of this year. President Lee said, “This will be a prime example of enhancing mutual understanding and interoperability between the two militaries and of tightening our strategic cooperation.” They will also actively seek out mutually beneficial ventures in the defense industry by combining France’s technological expertise with Korea’s manufacturing capabilities.

In the economic sector, both countries set a joint goal of reaching 20 billion dollars in trade by 2030. A business roundtable with the participation of over 20 companies from both nations will explore investment opportunities in advanced technology and future industries, while also expanding cooperation in industrial competitiveness and intellectual property. President Lee said that he also addressed the practical challenges faced by companies from both countries during the summit and added, “We will communicate closely to ensure more opportunities in each other’s markets and to support activities in a stable and predictable environment.”

Cooperation in advanced industry and science and technology will focus on expanding from the research phase to industry and market applications. In addition to the letters of intent for cooperation in AI, semiconductors, and quantum technologies signed last April, a supplementary agreement was reached this time to support mutual market access for startups and joint R&D between businesses and research institutes. In the space sector, based on the achievements of the Korea-France Space Forum over the past decade, an implementation agreement was signed to strengthen cooperation between private space industry ecosystems. In the bio sector, the two countries will collaborate on next-generation joint research in areas such as eco-friendly materials, climate-adaptive crops, and new drug development using quantum computing.

In particular, the nuclear cooperation framework has been further expanded. President Lee stated, “We have signed additional cooperation documents for nuclear R&D and fuel supply, which further develop the full nuclear cycle cooperation agreed in April,” and pledged to deepen collaboration on next-generation reactor development and diversification of supply chains. The two leaders also agreed to newly establish a high-level dialogue channel devoted exclusively to civilian nuclear cooperation.

Measures to enhance people-to-people exchanges were also agreed upon. The air service agreement between the two countries, originally signed in 1974, was revised after negotiations since 2016 to modernize rules for fair competition, codesharing, medium- and long-range networks, mutual assistance in case of emergencies, and eco-friendly operations. The expansion of the working holiday program, agreed upon in April, will take effect on October 1, and Korean language assistant teachers will be sent to France on a trial basis. Researcher exchanges and joint research efforts between Paris-Saclay University and Korean universities and research institutions will also be expanded.

In the cultural sector, cooperation in film and the visual industry will be expanded based on the “Lumière Partnership,” a 1 billion euro (approximately 1.6 trillion won) agreement reached the previous day in Saint-Paul-de-Vence. The culture ministries of both countries also signed a new memorandum of understanding on cultural cooperation, including nurturing film industry talent and promoting joint investment. President Lee stated, “I hope that France, which led the birth and growth of the film industry, and Korea, which is drawing global attention with its distinctive storytelling and outstanding production capabilities, will join hands to usher in a new golden era for film, the seventh art.”

President Lee Jae-myung held a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace in Paris, France, on the 8th (local time). 2026.9.8 Yonhap News Agency(Photo by Yonhap News)

The two countries will also strengthen cooperation on major international issues. President Lee said South Korea will continue close coordination with France to swiftly restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and the stability of global supply chains. The two countries also agreed to cooperate on the restoration and reconstruction of peace in Ukraine.

President Lee said, “Security in Northeast Asia and Europe is more closely linked than ever,” adding that France has reaffirmed its support and commitment to collaborate on Korea’s policy regarding the Korean peninsula. He continued, “Based on the deep friendship and trust built over the past 140 years, we have agreed to jointly open a new chapter for the next 140 years.”

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