President Lee, Macron Hold Summit, Upgrade Ties to ‘Global Strategic Partnership’ [Korea–France Summit]

According to The Financial News, President Lee Jae Myung will hold a summit on the 3rd with French President Emmanuel Macron, who is on a state visit to Korea, following their friendship dinner the previous day. This is Macron’s first visit to Korea since he took office in 2017, which gives the trip added significance.
Kang Yu-jeong, senior presidential spokesperson, stated in a written briefing, "On the occasion of this visit, Korea and France will upgrade their relationship from the '21st Century Comprehensive Partnership' established in 2004 to a 'Global Strategic Partnership' after 22 years."
Kang emphasized, "President Lee plans to strengthen strategic communication with France, a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and a key country in the European Union (EU), in order to achieve major national policy goals and build a future-oriented partnership."
The major national policy goals include: achieving status as a Group of Seven (G7)+ diplomatic power; emerging as one of the world’s top three artificial intelligence (AI) powers and one of the top four global venture powerhouses; strengthening economic security in trade and investment; building a leading maritime nation; and promoting the global spread of K-culture.
Kang noted, "This is Macron’s first visit to Korea since taking office, and as this year marks the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and France, we have prepared a grand official welcome ceremony." She explained, "As they enter Cheong Wa Dae, a motorcade of about 70 members of the Traditional Honor Guard and chwitadae (traditional military band) will escort the vehicles, and a total of around 280 personnel, including honor guards from the three armed services, will line up for the ceremony." She added, "A children’s welcoming group of 30, joined by seven French children, will greet President Macron and his wife."
While President Lee and President Macron hold their summit, the first ladies of the two countries will spend time at the National Museum of Korea for a friendship program introducing Korean culture and cultural exchanges between the two nations.
After the summit, about 140 figures from various sectors of both countries will attend a luncheon. To mark the 140th anniversary of Korea–France diplomatic relations, Felix of the K-pop group Stray Kids, who serves as an honorary ambassador for France and symbolizes cultural exchange between the two countries, and actor Jun Ji-hyun will also attend. From the political sphere, Ambassador for Global Climate and Environment, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, Kang Kum-sil; Han Byung-do, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK); DPK lawmaker Kim Young-bae; and People Power Party (PPP) lawmaker Kim Seok-ki will be present.
From the business community, attendees will include Lee Jae-yong, chairman of Samsung Electronics; Chung Eui-sun, chairman of Hyundai Motor Group; Son Kyung-shik, chairman of CJ Group and chairman of the Korea Enterprises Federation (KEF); Walter Cho, chairman of Hanjin Group; Jin Roy Ryu, chairman of Poongsan Corporation and chairman of The Federation of Korean Industries (FKI); and Lee Boo-jin, president and CEO of Hotel Shilla.
The state luncheon menu has been arranged as authentic Korean cuisine, taking into account the preferences of President Macron and his wife, who are known to enjoy local food during overseas trips.
Kang explained, "The appetizers—samsaek milssam (three-color wheat wraps), Jeju sweet shrimp radish wraps, and East Sea scallop wraps with truffle—express Korea’s unique ssam (wrap) culture and embody the meaning of harmony between the two countries." She said the three colors of the samsaek milssam represent liberty, equality, and fraternity, while the grilled pomfret from Jeju Island, made with premium deokja pomfret and served with a kumquat doenjang (soybean paste) sauce accompanied by maitake mushrooms, clams, and sansho pepper, is meant to convey heartfelt hospitality and the highest level of courtesy.
After the state luncheon, President Macron and his wife plan to move to Yonsei University for a lecture and a meeting with students. The visit will conclude with the Korea–France Business Future Dialogue, attended by Prime Minister Kim Min-seok of the Republic of Korea, the opening ceremony of Centre Pompidou Hanwha Seoul, and a dinner with cultural figures. Macron will then depart from Seoul Air Base later that night, wrapping up his two-day, one-night visit to Korea.
cjk@fnnews.com Reporter Choi Jong-geun Reporter