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 promptly conclude a Mutual Logistics Support Agreement. In the field of nuclear energy, they will establish a new high-level dialogue channel for private sector cooperation and further strengthen collaboration on nuclear fuel supply chains and next-generation reactor research and development. Notably, with heightened attention on the recent issue of dispatching troops to the Strait of Hormuz, the two countries agreed to continue close cooperation to swiftly restore freedom of navigation and global supply chain stability in the region.

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), after holding a summit at the Élysée Palace in Paris, President Lee announced this direction for Korea-France cooperation in a joint press statement with President Macron. Building on their decision last April to upgrade bilateral relations to a "global strategic partnership," the two leaders agreed to concretize cooperation in six areas: defense and security, economy and industry, advanced technology, people-to-people exchanges, culture, and international collaboration.

First, the two countries agreed to elevate the level of defense and security cooperation. President Lee stated that they signed the amended protocol to the Military Secret Information Protection Agreement, which had been agreed upon at the April summit, and would accelerate discussions to conclude a Mutual Logistics Support Agreement as soon as possible to enhance the stability and efficiency of military cooperation.

Military exchanges will also be expanded. Next week, the two countries’ air forces will conduct the "Pegasus" joint drill in Seoul, and in the second half of this year, mutual port calls between the two navies are scheduled. President Lee said, "These measures will serve as examples of strengthening mutual understanding and interoperability between our militaries and demonstrate the growing strategic cooperation." In the defense industry sector, both sides will actively seek mutually beneficial projects that combine France’s technological strength with Korea’s manufacturing capability.

In the economic sector, the common goal was set to achieve 20 billion dollars in bilateral trade by 2030. Through a business roundtable involving more than 20 companies from both countries, they will seek investment opportunities in advanced technologies and future industries, and expand cooperation in industrial competitiveness and intellectual property. President Lee stated that the summit also discussed challenges faced by companies operating in both countries, adding, "We will continue close communication to ensure that our businesses can operate in a stable and predictable environment and create more opportunities in each other’s markets."

Cooperation in advanced industries and science and technology will focus on expanding from the research phase to industry and the marketplace. Following the letters of intent signed in April on AI, semiconductors, and quantum technology, this summit included additional cooperation agreements on mutual market access for startups and joint research and development (R&D) between companies and research institutions. In the space sector, an implementation agreement was concluded to expand cooperation between private space industry ecosystems, building on the achievements of the Korea-France Space Forum, which has continued for ten years. In the bio sector, joint research on next-generation technologies will advance, including eco-friendly materials, climate-resilient crops, and new drug development using quantum computing.

In particular, the framework for cooperation in nuclear energy has broadened further. President Lee said, "We have concluded additional cooperation documents on research and development and fuel supply in nuclear energy, further advancing the full-cycle nuclear partnership agreed upon in April," and stated that collaboration in next-generation reactor development and supply chain diversification will be deepened. The two leaders also agreed to establish a new high-level dialogue channel dedicated to private sector nuclear energy cooperation.

Measures to expand people-to-people exchanges between the two countries were also included. The bilateral aviation agreement, first concluded in 1974, was modernized after negotiations since 2016 to encompass fair competition, code sharing, medium- to long-haul air networks, mutual support in case of emergencies, and eco-friendly operation standards. The expansion of the working holiday program, agreed upon in April, will take effect from October 1, with Korea set to send Korean assistant language teachers to France on a trial basis. Exchanges and joint research between researchers at Paris-Saclay University and Korean universities and research institutes will also be expanded.

In the cultural sector, collaboration in film and visual industries will be expanded based on the "Lumière Partnership" agreed to the previous day in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, which is worth a total of 1 billion euros (approximately 1.6 trillion won). The culture ministries of both countries have also newly signed a letter of intent on cultural cooperation, including fostering talent in the film industry and activating joint investment. President Lee remarked, "With France, which has led the birth and growth of the film industry, and Korea, which is capturing global attention with its unique storytelling and outstanding production capabilities, I hope we can join hands and usher in a new 'golden age' for cinema, 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)

Closer cooperation will also be established on major international issues. President Lee stated that South Korea will continue close cooperation with France to swiftly restore freedom of navigation and global supply chain stability in the Strait of Hormuz. The two countries will also work together for peace and reconstruction in Ukraine.

President Lee said, "Security in Northeast Asia and Europe is now more closely connected than ever," adding that France reaffirmed its support for and willingness to cooperate with South Korea’s policy toward the Korean Peninsula. He continued, "On the foundation of 140 years of deep friendship and trust, the two countries have resolved to open a new chapter together for the next 140 years."

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