Source: Government of the Republic of Korea
Along with fellow Koreans, I would like to sincerely welcome President Emmanuel Macron and his French delegation to Korea.
France has stood firmly by Korea’s side as a steadfast companion for the past 140 years, since our establishment of diplomatic relations in 1886.
During the Korean War, our two countries fought side by side as partners in arms. France since has been a key partner in the development of our nuclear energy, high-speed rail and biotechnology industries.
Today, as we share in the enjoyment of K-pop and Korean cultural content, we are fostering a deeper bond of friendship and trust.
Building on this long-standing friendship and solidarity, President Macron and I agreed to elevate our bilateral relationship to a Global Strategic Partnership.
We also adopted a joint statement that reflects our firm commitment to advancing bilateral ties in a future-oriented manner. In addition, we revised three agreements and adopted eleven Memoranda of Understanding.
Allow me now to outline the concrete outcomes of today’s summit.
First, we agreed to strengthen our bilateral economic cooperation and further expand trade and investment between our two countries.
Although our bilateral trade reached a record high of US$15 billion last year, we cannot rest on our laurels. We will work together to achieve the milestone of US$20 billion in trade by 2030.
I greatly appreciate an investment of approximately US$3.5 billion in Korea last year by France’s Air Liquide.
Building upon this momentum, we will continue working together to help promote mutual investment in emerging industries and expand employment opportunities created through business investments.
We expect that the number of jobs created by businesses investing in one another’s country, which currently stands at around 40,000, could reach 80,000 over the next decade.
Second, we agreed to actively foster an environment conducive to joint growth in advanced science and future industries, enabling our two countries to rise together as leading innovators.
The “Letter of Intent on Cooperation in Artificial Intelligence, Semiconductors and Quantum Technologies” signed today, together with the Korea-France Ministerial Joint Committee on Science and Technology convened today, will function as an important platform for generating new growth drivers in future industries.
The MOUs being signed today between Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power and the French companies Orano and Framatome will not only ensure a stable supply of nuclear fuel but also lay the foundation for our joint entry into the global nuclear energy market.
The MOU between Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power and Électricité de France is expected to make a significant contribution to the growth of our offshore wind power industry.
In addition, through the “Letter of Intent on Cooperation in the field of Critical Minerals and Metals,” we have established a foundation for the stable development of our critical minerals industry.
We will also further expand mutually complementary cooperation in future security domain, including aerospace and defense.
Third, we agreed to strengthen cultural cooperation – the cornerstone of our bilateral friendship – and to work toward ushering in an era of one million people-to-people exchanges.
Above all, through the “Protocol Amending the Korea–France Agreement on Cultural and Technological Cooperation,” we expect to further expand bilateral collaboration into new areas such as esports.
Meanwhile, we are amending the “Agreement on a Working Holiday Programme” and have nearly concluded the negotiations on amendments to the “Air Services Agreement,” both of which will facilitate freer and more vibrant exchanges among tourists, businesspeople, young people and students of our two nations.
We agreed to boost the number of French and Korean learners in one another’s country to 100,000 by 2035, with the aim of fostering greater mutual understanding between future generations of our peoples.
We expect that the “Letter of Intent on Cooperation in the Language Assistant Teacher Exchange Programme,” concluded on this occasion, will make a significant contribution to achieving this goal.
The “MOU on Cooperation in the field of Cultural Heritage,” concluded between the heritage authorities of our two countries, will serve as a valuable opportunity to further promote global awareness of our time-honored cultural heritage, including Korea’s Jongmyo Shrine and France’s St. Denis Basilica.
To mark President Macron’s visit to Korea, the Centre Pompidou Hanwha Seoul will officially open in Yeouido, Seoul.
The museum is expected to become one of Seoul’s prominent landmarks, enhancing access to French art and enriching our people’s everyday lives.
On the basis of these diverse collaborative achievements, our two countries will jointly usher in an era of one million people-to-people exchanges, where people and cultures move freely.
Lastly, as global strategic partners, our two countries agreed to further strengthen joint efforts toward resolving global challenges.
President Macron has graciously extended an invitation for me to attend the G7 Summit, to be held this June in Évian, France.
As this year’s G7 president, France is expected to demonstrate strong leadership in addressing economic imbalances in the international community and reforming global partnerships. The Republic of Korea will strive to contribute insightful advice.
President Macron has proposed that our two countries jointly host the Moving Image Summit this September. I sincerely appreciate his high regard for and interest in Korea’s film and audiovisual industries, as well as his invitation to me. During my visit to France, we will work together to seek the revitalization of the cultural industries.
Moreover, we two leaders shared a profound understanding that peace on the Korean Peninsula has far-reaching implications not just in Northeast Asia and Europe but also the rest of the world.
As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, France has consistently supported the Republic of Korea government’s policy on the Peninsula.
I made clear our government’s efforts to resume inter-Korean dialogue and cooperation, as well as its firm commitment to ushering in a future of peaceful coexistence and shared prosperity.
In turn, President Macron assured us of France’s steadfast support for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.
Moreover, President Macron and I agreed to share policy-related experiences and strategies in order to jointly address the economic and energy crises triggered by the Middle East war. We also concurred on working together to reduce uncertainty in the global economy.
In addition, we confirmed our commitment to bolstering energy security by expanding our cooperation in the nuclear and offshore wind power sectors, while collaborating to secure safe maritime transport routes through the Strait of Hormuz.
At today’s summit, we reaffirmed, once again, the deep friendship that our countries have solidly built up over the past 140 years, and we renewed our firm commitment to create even more opportunities during the next 140 years.
Deepening the connections between our nations and widening the scope of our cooperation will enrich our peoples’ lives and bring about more opportunities for future generations. It will also greatly contribute to the resolution of shared global challenges.
Going forward, I look forward to communicating closely with President Macron and shaping a new future together over the next 140 years.
Once again, I sincerely welcome you to Korea, President Macron.
Thank you very much – merci beaucoup.