Lee Returns Home After Expanding Defense, Nuclear Power and AI Cooperation in France; Domestic Issues Pile Up

【Financial News, Paris, France = Reporter Seong Seok-woo】President Lee Jae Myung departed for home on the 9th (local time) after completing his three-night, five-day state visit to France. Lee and French President Emmanuel Macron agreed to closely coordinate to ensure stability and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, while expanding cooperation into defense, nuclear power and artificial intelligence (AI). The two countries also completed reciprocal state visits within five months of Macron’s state visit to South Korea in April.
Lee met Yaël Braun-Pivet, president of the National Assembly of France, that day and called for parliamentary support for economic and defense cooperation between the two countries. He then held a luncheon meeting with members of the Korean community in France, listening to their difficulties in living and establishing themselves there. After meeting with Mathias Cormann, secretary-general of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Lee concluded his schedule and boarded Air Force One at Paris Orly Airport for his return flight.
At the summit with Macron the previous day, the two leaders agreed to maintain close coordination to stabilize the Strait of Hormuz, safeguard freedom of navigation and swiftly restore global supply chains. The Blue House, however, stressed that no specific troop deployment plan had been discussed at the summit and that South Korea’s practical contribution remains under review.
In defense and security, the two countries signed an amendment protocol to the Agreement on the Protection of Classified Military Information and agreed to pursue the early conclusion of an Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement. In the economic and industrial sectors, they set a target of reaching $20 billion in bilateral trade by 2030. During and around the visit, the two countries signed a total of 16 MOUs and other agreements covering areas ranging from the military and aviation to AI, semiconductors, quantum technology, nuclear power, space and biotechnology.
In nuclear energy, the two countries agreed to launch a new high-level civilian nuclear dialogue. Through a cooperation protocol between Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) and Orano, they will seek to diversify uranium enrichment supply chains and cooperate on developing safety technologies for next-generation reactors. In AI, semiconductors and quantum technology, they will expand mutual market access for startups from both countries and joint research and development (R&D) between companies and research institutions. Samsung Electronics also joined French AI startup Mistral AI as a strategic investor in conjunction with the state visit.
Before the Paris schedule, the two leaders co-chaired the Lumière Summit in Saint-Paul-de-Vence in southern France. They agreed to pursue the Lumière Partnership, under which each country will invest €500 million in the film and audiovisual industries over five years starting in 2027.
However, President Lee faces numerous domestic issues to resolve immediately upon returning from his state visit to France. Controversies surrounding Kim Seung-won, the nominee for justice minister, and Yong Hye-in, the nominee for minister of gender equality and family, are also expected to continue into the confirmation hearing process. There is also speculation that Lee may personally state his position on conflicts among ruling-party supporters and the debate over constitutional revision to allow a second term. The Blue House reaffirmed that Lee cannot serve a second term under the current Constitution, while also indicating that the president would have an opportunity to express his views directly.
South Korea must also decide how it will contribute regarding the Strait of Hormuz, which was discussed at the summit with Macron. Since the government has not finalized specific measures, including possible troop deployment, reviews are expected to continue after Lee’s return through relevant ministries and the National Security Council (NSC). After broadening diplomatic, security and industrial cooperation in France, Lee now faces a host of challenges, including falling approval ratings, public sentiment over real estate, controversies over personnel appointments and constitutional revision, and follow-up discussions on the Strait of Hormuz.
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