Paris: South Korea and France signed multiple agreements Tuesday aiming to bolster bilateral cooperation in national defense, the defense industry, and other strategic areas, as announced by South Korean President Lee Jae Myung. The agreements include critical sectors like military information protection, marking a significant development in the two nations' 140-year diplomatic relationship.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the announcement came during a joint press event with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace. President Lee embarked on a two-day state visit to Paris to commemorate the diplomatic milestone and reinforce the partnership. "In order to jointly respond to uncertainties facing the international order, (we) agreed to make tangible progress in cooperation on defense and security," Lee stated.
The summit resulted in a strengthened military secret information protection pact, originally signed during the previous Lee-Macron meeting in Seoul. This upgraded agreement aims to refine the framework for information sharing between the countries. Furthermore, both nations agreed to expedite the signing of a separate military logistics support agreement to enhance cooperation effectiveness.
President Lee highlighted the expanding collaboration between South Korean companies and French defense firms, including Airbus. Both sides have committed to pursuing mutually beneficial projects that leverage France's technological prowess alongside South Korea's manufacturing capabilities.
On the economic front, South Korea and France aim to boost their annual bilateral trade volume to US$20 billion by 2030. This will involve strengthening economic and industrial cooperation, with Lee emphasizing the importance of predictable environments for businesses in both nations.
Lee and Macron also plan to expand collaboration in artificial intelligence, quantum technology, and nuclear energy, aiming to transition these into industrial and market applications. Specifically, they agreed to jointly develop next-generation nuclear reactors and diversify supply chains, establishing a dialogue channel for cooperation in civil nuclear energy.
Beyond defense and economic cooperation, the two countries are committed to promoting international peace. They will work together to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, with Macron expressing support for South Korea's Korean Peninsula policy. The French president also indicated potential cooperation on Middle Eastern issues, emphasizing peaceful solutions.
South Korea's National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac noted that the summit provided an opportunity to add specificity to bilateral cooperation, fostering trust between the leaders. During a pre-summit luncheon, Lee and Macron discussed global security, including the Strait of Hormuz situation and the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The leaders' agreement to enhance nuclear energy cooperation forms a crucial pillar for future collaboration. Despite competitive dynamics in nuclear reactor exports, both countries are pursuing complementary cooperation, recognizing the significant potential for partnership.
President Lee's visit to Paris began with tributes at the Arc de Triomphe and continued with a business roundtable featuring key figures from both nations, including Samsung Electronics Co. Chairman Lee Jae-yong and L'Oreal CEO Nicolas Hieronimus. A dinner banquet hosted by President Macron and his wife will conclude the day's state visit activities.