(News Focus) Lee's trip to France builds fresh momentum to deepen 140-yr-old relationship（新闻焦点）李光耀访法为深化两国140年的关系注入了新的动力
PARIS, Sept. 9 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean and French leaders may have created ...
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PARIS, Sept. 9 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean and French leaders may have created a rare opportunity for their countries' bilateral relations, 140 years after they were first forged, Seoul officials said Wednesday, pointing to a series of agreements signed this week that will likely strengthen their partnerships in a wide range of areas, including nuclear power plants and artificial intelligence (AI).
President Lee Jae Myung wrapped up his four-day trip to France earlier in the day, heading home with a handful of agreements that include those calling for enhanced cooperation in areas such as defense manufacturing, nuclear energy and other advanced industries.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung (L) and French President Emmanuel Macron hold hands following their joint press announcement at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Sept. 8, 2026. (Yonhap)
"It marked a chance to concretely and practically develop cooperation between the two countries," Seoul's National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said of Lee's trip that included a two-day state visit to Paris.
The South Korean president began his France trip in Nice, where he and French President Emmanuel Macron co-chaired the countries' first-ever joint meeting on ways to develop the film industry. Lee and Macron held summit talks in Paris on Tuesday, marking their second bilateral talks this year following their meeting in Seoul in April.
"With this week's meeting, the two leaders have made reciprocal state visits to each other's country in about five months, solidifying the trust and bond between the leaders," Wi said earlier.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung speaks during his joint press announcement with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Sept. 8, 2026. (Yonhap)
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung (L) and French President Emmanuel Macron pose for a photo at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Sept. 8, 2026. (Yonhap)
In addition to their personal relationship, the leaders' latest summit may have created fresh momentum for South Korea-France ties, Seoul officials said, noting the countries have signed 16 agreements before and during Lee's trip to France, including nine signed Tuesday on the sidelines of the Lee-Macron summit.
One of the agreements calls for upgrading an existing pact on military secret information protection between the two countries, as they seek to strengthen the framework for cooperation in national defense and the defense industry, according to Cheong Wa Dae officials.
Two memorandums of understanding (MOUs) signed this week call for joint research and development projects between South Korean and French companies in the AI, semiconductor and quantum technology sectors, as well as enhanced cooperation in industrial policies, trade and other areas.
Under a freshly signed partnership between Samsung Electronics Co. and French AI startup Mistral AI, the South Korean tech giant will become a "strategic investor" in the French firm that will develop an exclusive AI model for Samsung that could protect its semiconductor information.
During the summit, Lee and Macron also agreed to expand their countries' existing cooperation in the AI, quantum technology and nuclear energy sectors to manufacturing and the global market.
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 for cooperation on civil nuclear energy.
Such an agreement, Wi said, "has created an important axis of cooperation," stressing that the two countries, who are currently competitors when it comes to nuclear power plant exports, may become partners.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung (2nd from R), French President Emmanuel Macron (R), alongside their wives, exchange gifts during a dinner banquet in Paris on Sept. 8, 2026. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)
The cultural sector was also a major area of cooperation for South Korea and France, both of which enjoy global cultural influence.
Alongside Macron, Lee co-chaired the Lumiere Summit held in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, France, on Monday, joining discussions on challenges facing the industry amid the emergence of AI and shifting consumer preferences.
During the event, the two leaders unveiled a joint investment initiative for the cinema and broader visual industries, under which each country will invest 500 million euros (US$581.5 million) over the next five years to support the sectors and promote joint projects.
On the international front, the two leaders held "in-depth" discussion on issues related to the conflicts in the Strait of Hormuz during their summit, according to Seoul officials.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung (3rd from L) and French President Emmanuel Macron (4th from L) pose for a photo with participants at the Lumiere Summit in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, France, on Sept. 7, 2026. (Yonhap)
"South Korea and France will continue their close cooperation in ensuring the prompt recovery of freedom of navigation and supply chains in the Strait of Hormuz," Lee said at a joint press announcement with Macron following their Tuesday summit.
"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 added, stressing that the countries mark the 140th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties this year.
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(News Focus) Lee's trip to France builds fresh momentum to deepen 140-yr-old relationship
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巴黎，9月9日（韩联社）——首尔官员周三表示，韩国和法国领导人可能为两国双边关系创造了一个难得的机会，这是两国建交140周年之际。他们指出，本周签署的一系列协议可能会加强两国在包括核电站和人工智能（AI）在内的广泛领域的伙伴关系。
李在明总统当天早些时候结束了对法国为期四天的访问，回国时带回了一系列协议，其中包括呼吁在国防制造、核能和其他先进产业等领域加强合作的协议。
2026年9月8日，韩国总统李在明（左）和法国总统埃马纽埃尔·马克龙在巴黎爱丽舍宫举行联合新闻发布会后手牵手。（韩联社）
“这标志着两国在具体和实际层面发展合作的机会，”首尔国家安全顾问魏成乐在谈到李明博的访问时说道，此次访问包括对巴黎进行为期两天的国事访问。
韩国总统李明博的法国之行从尼斯开始。在尼斯，他与法国总统马克龙共同主持了两国历史上首次关于发展电影产业的联合会议。周二，李明博和马克龙在巴黎举行了峰会会谈，这是继今年4月在首尔会晤之后，两人今年的第二次双边会谈。
“通过本周的会晤，两国领导人在短短五个月内完成了对对方国家的互访，巩固了两国领导人之间的信任和纽带，”魏先生此前表示。
2026年9月8日，韩国总统李在明在巴黎爱丽舍宫与法国总统马克龙举行联合新闻发布会。（韩联社）
2026年9月8日，韩国总统李在明（左）和法国总统埃马纽埃尔·马克龙在巴黎爱丽舍宫合影。（韩联社）
首尔官员表示，除了个人关系外，两国领导人的最新峰会可能为韩法关系注入了新的动力。他们指出，在李明博访问法国之前和期间，两国已签署了16项协议，其中包括周二在李明博与马克龙峰会期间签署的9项协议。
据青瓦台官员称，其中一项协议要求升级两国之间现有的军事秘密信息保护条约，以加强两国在国防和国防工业领域的合作框架。
本周签署的两份谅解备忘录（MOU）呼吁韩国和法国公司在人工智能、半导体和量子技术领域开展联合研发项目，并加强在产业政策、贸易和其他领域的合作。
根据三星电子与法国人工智能初创公司 Mistral AI 最新签署的合作协议，这家韩国科技巨头将成为这家法国公司的“战略投资者”，该公司将为三星开发一种专属的人工智能模型，该模型可以保护其半导体信息。
在峰会期间，李和马克龙还同意将两国在人工智能、量子技术和核能领域的现有合作扩展到制造业和全球市场。
尤其是在核能领域，首尔和巴黎同意合作开发下一代核反应堆和实现供应链多元化，同时启动民用核能合作的高级别对话渠道。
魏先生表示，这样的协议“开辟了重要的合作轴线”，并强调目前在核电站出口方面是竞争对手的两国，未来可能会成为合作伙伴。
2026年9月8日，韩国总统李在明（右二）、法国总统马克龙（右一）及其夫人于巴黎出席晚宴并互赠礼物。（联社照片）（韩联社）
文化领域也是韩国和法国的主要合作领域，两国都拥有全球文化影响力。
周一，李与马克龙共同主持了在法国圣保罗德旺斯举行的 Lumiere 峰会，参与了关于人工智能兴起和消费者偏好转变给电影行业带来的挑战的讨论。
在活动期间，两国领导人公布了一项针对电影和更广泛的视觉产业的联合投资计划，根据该计划，两国将在未来五年内分别投资 5 亿欧元（5.815 亿美元）以支持这些行业并促进联合项目。
据首尔官员称，在国际方面，两国领导人在峰会期间就霍尔木兹海峡冲突相关问题进行了“深入”讨论。
2026年9月7日，韩国总统李在明（左三）和法国总统埃马纽埃尔·马克龙（左四）在法国圣保罗德旺斯举行的卢米埃尔峰会上与与会者合影。（韩联社）
李在周二与马克龙举行峰会后联合新闻发布会上表示：“韩国和法国将继续密切合作，确保霍尔木兹海峡航行自由和供应链的迅速恢复。”
“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，”他补充道，并强调今年是两国建交140周年。
李总统授予法国最高勋章，以表彰其促进双边关系的贡献。
李表示，韩国和法国在广泛的领域拥有双边合作机会。
韩国和法国第一夫人参观巴黎韩纸艺术展
（第四项）李和马克龙同意加强在军事信息、后勤和国防工业领域的合作
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（新闻焦点）李光耀访法为深化两国140年的关系注入了新的动力