Korea, France expand cooperation on military info, logistics, defense industry

Korea and France signed agreements in Paris on Tuesday to expand cooperation in military information protection, logistics support and the defense industry. President Lee Jae Myung said the two sides also agreed to deepen collaboration on AI, quantum technology and nuclear energy, while targeting $20 billion in annual bilateral trade by 2030. The summit came as Lee began a two-day state visit to France for the 140th anniversary of diplomatic ties. Both sides also backed efforts on the Strait of Hormuz and the Korean Peninsula.

The two countries signed a pact to upgrade a military secret information protection agreement reached at the last Lee-Macron summit in Seoul in April.

They agreed to seek the early signing of a separate agreement on mutual military logistics support.

Lee said Korea and France aim to expand annual bilateral trade to $20 billion by 2030.

The two sides agreed to pursue joint research and development projects on AI, semiconductors and quantum technology.

Seoul and Paris will launch a high-level dialogue channel on cooperation in civil nuclear energy and work together on next-generation nuclear reactors and supply-chain diversification.

Published Sep 9, 2026 12:21 am KST

Updated Sep 9, 2026 8:00 am KST

French President Emmanuel Macron, right, welcomes Korean President Lee Jae Myung at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, Tuesday. EPA-Yonhap

PARIS — Korea and France signed multiple agreements Tuesday that will strengthen their bilateral cooperation in national defense, the defense industry and other areas, including military information protection, Korean President Lee Jae Myung said.

Lee made the announcement in a joint press event with French President Emmanuel Macron on the outcome of their summit at the Elysee Palace.

The Korean president began a two-day state visit to the French capital earlier in the day as the two countries seek to strengthen their partnership on the 140th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties.

"In order to jointly respond to uncertainties facing the international order, (we) agreed to make tangible progress in cooperation on defense and security," Lee said.

The two sides signed a pact to upgrade a military secret information protection agreement reached during the last Lee-Macron summit held in Seoul in April, the Korean president said.

The agreed-upon upgrade will serve to further sharpen the framework for information sharing between the two countries, he added.

In addition, the two sides agreed to seek the early signing of a separate agreement on mutual military logistics support to enhance the stability and effectiveness of cooperation between the two countries' militaries, Lee noted.

Referring to Korean companies' expanding technological cooperation with French defense firms, including Airbus, a European defense company in which France has a stake, Lee said the two sides agreed to pursue mutually beneficial projects based on France's technological expertise and Korea's manufacturing prowess.

On the economic front, the two countries will seek to expand the volume of annual bilateral trade to $20 billion by 2030 by strengthening economic and industrial cooperation, Lee said.

"I will closely communicate with (Macron) to help companies from both countries operate in a more predictable environment and find more opportunities in each other's market," he added.

Lee said he and Macron also agreed to work toward expanding bilateral collaboration on artificial intelligence (AI), quantum technology and nuclear energy into the industrial and market spheres, while pursuing joint research and development projects on AI, semiconductor and quantum technology.

On nuclear energy, in particular, Seoul and Paris agreed to collaborate in developing next-generation nuclear reactors and diversifying supply chains, while launching a high-level dialogue channel on cooperation in civil nuclear energy, Lee noted.

As part of joint efforts to promote international peace, Korea and France will continue to work together to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, Lee said, adding that Macron also expressed support for Korea's policy on the Korean Peninsula.

"Based on the deep friendship and trust built over the past 140 years, we agreed to jointly open a new (door for the) next 140 years," he said.

Macron said Korea has France's unwavering backing in ensuring peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

The French president also said the countries' cooperation could expand to issues involving the Middle East, emphasizing the need to restore the freedom of navigation in the region through peaceful solutions.

"We will cooperate to help restore peace in the region," he said, adding that the countries will cooperate on multinational duties once a relevant agreement is reached.

Korea's National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said the summit served as an opportunity to add specificity and substance to bilateral cooperation between the two countries and forge trust and bonds between Lee and Macron.

During a luncheon held before the summit, the leaders had an "in-depth" discussion on global security, including the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and the war between Russia and Ukraine, Wi added.

The presidential official also took note of the two leaders' agreement to deepen cooperation on nuclear energy, saying that their decision to launch a high-level dialogue on civil nuclear energy provided an important pillar for bilateral cooperation.

"When it comes to nuclear reactor exports, the relationship between the two countries is that of competitors, but (they) are pushing for complementary cooperation based on a common understanding that the potential for their cooperation is great," Wi told reporters.

Lee arrived here late Monday, following a two-day trip to France's Nice, where he and Macron co-hosted a meeting on the future of the film industry.

The Korean president began his state visit to Paris earlier Tuesday with a visit to the Arc de Triomphe to pay his respects to France's fallen heroes.

He was earlier welcomed by the French leader to the presidential palace with a friendly hug and a handshake.

Later in the day, Lee will attend a business roundtable that will bring together some 20 companies from both countries, including Samsung Electronics Co. Chairman Lee Jae-yong, BNP Paribas Chairman Jean Lemierre and L'Oreal Chief Executive Officer Nicolas Hieronimus.

Lee is also scheduled to attend a dinner banquet to be hosted by the French president and his wife, Brigitte Macron, at the presidential palace.

韩国和法国周二在巴黎签署协议，扩大在军事信息保护、后勤保障和国防工业领域的合作。韩国总统李在明表示，双方还同意深化在人工智能、量子技术和核能领域的合作，并力争到2030年实现每年200亿美元的双边贸易额。此次峰会正值李在明总统开始对法国进行为期两天的国事访问之际，此次访问旨在庆祝韩法建交140周年。双方还支持在霍尔木兹海峡和朝鲜半岛问题上所做的努力。

两国签署了一项协议，旨在升级今年4月在首尔举行的李明博与马克龙峰会上达成的军事秘密信息保护协议。

他们同意尽早签署一项关于相互军事后勤支持的单独协议。

李表示，韩国和法国的目标是到2030年将双边年贸易额扩大到200亿美元。

双方同意在人工智能、半导体和量子技术领域开展联合研发项目。

首尔和巴黎将启动民用核能合作高级别对话渠道，共同致力于下一代核反应堆和供应链多元化。

发布于2026年9月9日凌晨12:21（韩国标准时间）

更新于2026年9月9日上午8:00（韩国标准时间）

周二，法国总统马克龙（右）在巴黎爱丽舍宫会见韩国总统李在明。图片来源：EPA-Yonhap

巴黎——韩国总统李在明表示，韩国和法国周二签署了多项协议，将加强两国在国防、国防工业以及包括军事信息保护在内的其他领域的双边合作。

李在与法国总统马克龙于爱丽舍宫举行的峰会成果联合新闻发布会上宣布了这一消息。

韩国总统当天早些时候开始对法国首都进行为期两天的国事访问，两国希望在建交140周年之际加强伙伴关系。

李说：“为了共同应对国际秩序面临的不确定性，我们同意在国防和安全领域的合作取得切实进展。”

韩国总统表示，双方签署了一项协议，旨在升级今年4月在首尔举行的李明博与马克龙峰会期间达成的军事秘密信息保护协议。

他补充说，双方商定的升级将有助于进一步完善两国间的信息共享框架。

李指出，此外，双方同意尽早签署一项关于相互军事后勤支持的单独协议，以增强两国军队合作的稳定性和有效性。

李在谈到韩国企业与法国国防企业（包括法国参股的欧洲国防公司空中客车）不断扩大的技术合作时表示，双方同意基于法国的技术专长和韩国的制造实力，开展互利共赢的项目。

李表示，在经济方面，两国将通过加强经济和产业合作，力争到2030年将双边贸易额扩大到200亿美元。

“我将与（马克龙）密切沟通，帮助两国企业在更可预测的环境中运营，并在彼此的市场中寻找更多机会，”他补充道。

李表示，他和马克龙还同意努力将人工智能、量子技术和核能领域的双边合作扩展到工业和市场领域，同时开展人工智能、半导体和量子技术方面的联合研发项目。

李指出，尤其是在核能领域，首尔和巴黎同意在开发下一代核反应堆和实现供应链多元化方面开展合作，同时启动民用核能合作的高级别对话渠道。

李表示，作为促进国际和平的共同努力的一部分，韩国和法国将继续共同努力恢复霍尔木兹海峡的航行自由。他还补充说，马克龙也对韩国在朝鲜半岛问题上的政策表示支持。

他说：“基于过去140年来建立的深厚友谊和信任，我们同意共同开启下一个140年的新篇章。”

马克龙表示，法国坚定不移地支持韩国维护朝鲜半岛的和平与稳定。

法国总统还表示，两国合作可以扩展到涉及中东的问题，并强调需要通过和平方式恢复该地区的航行自由。

他说：“我们将合作帮助恢复该地区的和平”，并补充说，一旦达成相关协议，各国将在多国合作方面开展合作。

韩国国家安全顾问魏圣乐表示，此次峰会为两国双边合作增添了具体性和实质内容，并加强了李明博和马克龙之间的信任和联系。

魏补充说，在峰会前的一次午餐会上，各国领导人就全球安全问题进行了“深入”讨论，包括霍尔木兹海峡局势和俄罗斯与乌克兰之间的战争。

这位总统官员还注意到两国领导人同意深化在核能领域的合作，并表示他们决定启动民用核能高级别对话，为双边合作提供了重要支柱。

“在核反应堆出口方面，两国关系是竞争对手，但（他们）正在推动互补合作，因为他们都认识到，两国合作的潜力巨大，”魏先生告诉记者。

李安周一晚些时候抵达这里，此前他刚结束了为期两天的法国尼斯之行。在尼斯，他和马克龙共同主持了一场关于电影业未来的会议。

韩国总统于周二早些时候开始对巴黎进行国事访问，首站是前往凯旋门，向法国阵亡英雄致敬。

早些时候，法国领导人在总统府热情地拥抱并握手欢迎了他。

当天晚些时候，李在镕将出席一个商业圆桌会议，该会议将汇集来自两国的约 20 家公司，其中包括三星电子董事长李在镕、法国巴黎银行董事长让·勒米埃尔和欧莱雅首席执行官尼古拉斯·希罗尼姆斯。

李还计划出席法国总统及其夫人布丽吉特·马克龙在总统府举行的晚宴。