President Lee Departs for State Visit to France... Discussions on K-Content and Strait of Hormuz Expected

President Lee Jae-myung departed through Seoul Air Base this morning (the 6th) for a state visit to France.

Taking place on the 140th anniversary of diplomatic ties between South Korea and France, this state visit follows an invitation from French President Emmanuel Macron, who visited South Korea last April and asked President Lee to serve as co-chair of the Lumière Summit, an international film and video summit.

This morning, accompanied by First Lady Kim Hye-kyung, President Lee boarded Air Force One amidst send-offs from Democratic Party of Korea leader Kim Min-seok, floor leader Han Byung-do, presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik, Senior Secretary for Political Affairs Hong Ik-pyo, and Minister of the Interior and Safety Yoon Ho-jung.

On the 7th local time, President Lee will attend the Lumière Summit held in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, southern France, as co-chair alongside President Macron.

He will then move to Paris to carry out a two-day state bilateral visit starting on the 8th.

Following an official welcoming ceremony, President Lee will hold a private luncheon with President Macron at the Élysée Palace, followed by an expanded summit attended by delegations from both countries.

Ways to cooperate in culture and content, artificial intelligence (AI), and nuclear power generation are expected to be put on the discussion table.


Given that France is a country that has actively participated in international solidarity for freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and has previously held discussions with South Korea on the matter, it is expected that discussions regarding the deployment of troops to the Strait of Hormuz, which has recently been debated domestically, may also take place.

That same afternoon, the South Korea-France leaders will attend a South Korea-France Business Roundtable event attended by some 20 companies from both countries, followed by a state dinner hosted by President and Mrs. Macron at the Élysée Palace.

On the 9th, the final day of his visit, President Lee will fulfill schedules including meetings with Yaël Braun-Pivet, President of the French National Assembly, and Mathias Cormann, Secretary-General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

A luncheon meeting with local Korean compatriots is also scheduled.

During a briefing on the 4th, Wi Sung-lac, Director of the National Security Office, stated, "Through this visit, we will deepen the 'Global Strategic Partnership' with France and add new momentum to expanding European diplomacy," adding, "We will expand cooperation in advanced technology fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), space, nuclear power, and biotechnology, vitalize exchanges in youth and science-technology fields, and expand the foundation for K-content to enter the European market."

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.