South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and French President Emmanuel Macron are preparing to elevate relations between their two countries to the level of a “global strategic partnership”, the Korean Blue House said in a statement on Friday.
Mr Macron arrived in South Korea on Thursday for a two-day state visit after visiting Japan, and is due to hold a summit with Mr Lee in Seoul later on Friday.
This is the first state visit by a French president since 2015. French officials have specified that this trip aims to strengthen France’s strategic and economic role in the region, in a context of “strong international tensions and regional”.
The Elysée had previously indicated that the crisis in the Middle East would be “at the heart of the discussions”, underlining the common economic exposure of the two nations.
Like other Asian economies, South Korea relies heavily on energy imports, particularly via the Strait of Hormuz, the effective closure of which has driven up energy prices and shaken the global economy.
Paris is seeking Seoul’s support for a maritime security initiative led by France in the strait, whether multilaterally or bilaterally, according to the French presidency.
Mr Macron declared on Thursday, after his arrival in Seoul, that it would be unrealistic to launch a military operation to force the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, while US President Donald Trump urged his allies to work towards its reopening.
LUNCH AND K-POP
The two leaders will have lunch after their summit, accompanied by about 140 government officials and business leaders from the two countries. Felix, a member of the K-pop group Stray Kids and named honorary ambassador of France, will also be present, Mr. Lee’s office said.
On Thursday, a banquet bringing together the leaders and their wives was served by chef Son Jong-won, made famous by the Netflix show “Culinary Class Wars”, said the Blue House. CDs autographed by major K-pop stars such as BTS, Stray Kids and G-DRAGON were also prepared as gifts for the First Lady of France, Brigitte Macron.
The French president is scheduled to deliver a speech at Yonsei University in Seoul after the summit, and attend a business forum alongside Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, according to the Blue House.
Macron is due to meet the chief executives of Samsung, Naver and Hyundai Motor during his trip, as he seeks to boost French exports to South Korea and attract Korean investment in France’s industrial and technology sectors, according to the Elysée.
In an interview with Le Figaro before the summit, Mr. Lee declared that ties with France must go beyond a simple partnership to become a real strategic collaboration including artificial intelligence and nuclear energy, pillars of innovation.
South Korean exports to France amounted to $6.4 billion in 2025, while imports reached $8.6 billion.
(1 $ = 1 505.8000 won)
