South Korea's Lee Ends France Visit With Agreements on AI, Nuclear Energy and Film

The trip included a two-day state visit to Paris from Tuesday to Wednesday. Lee held summit talks with Macron on Tuesday on strengthening cooperation in AI, defense and nuclear energy before attending a state dinner hosted by Macron and his wife. It was their second bilateral meeting this year, following Macron's trip to Seoul in April. The two countries mark the 140th anniversary of diplomatic ties this year, and Lee's visit reciprocated Macron's April trip.

Seoul officials said the visit created fresh momentum for the bilateral relationship. National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said it 'marked a chance to concretely and practically develop cooperation between the two countries.' Wi also said the reciprocal state visits in about five months had solidified trust and a bond between the leaders.

The two sides signed 16 agreements before and during Lee's trip, including nine signed Tuesday on the sidelines of the summit, according to Seoul officials. One agreement calls for upgrading an existing pact on military secret information protection as the countries seek to strengthen defense and defense industry cooperation. Two memorandums of understanding call for joint research and development projects between South Korean and French companies in AI, semiconductors and quantum technology, as well as enhanced cooperation in industrial policies and trade.

Under a partnership signed between Samsung Electronics and French AI startup Mistral AI, Samsung will become a 'strategic investor' in the French firm, which will develop an exclusive AI model for Samsung that could protect its semiconductor information. During the summit, Lee and Macron also agreed to expand existing cooperation in AI, quantum technology and nuclear energy to manufacturing and the global market.

On nuclear energy, Seoul and Paris agreed to collaborate on developing next-generation nuclear reactors and diversifying supply chains, and to launch a high-level dialogue channel for civil nuclear energy cooperation. Wi said the agreement 'has created an important axis of cooperation,' stressing that the two countries, currently competitors in nuclear power plant exports, may become partners.

The cultural sector was another major area of cooperation. Lee and Macron co-chaired the Lumiere Summit in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, joining discussions on challenges facing the industry amid the emergence of AI and shifting consumer preferences. Yonhap reports differed on the date of the cinema event, with one saying it took place Sunday and another saying Monday. During the event, the two leaders unveiled a joint investment initiative for 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 international issues, the two leaders held 'in-depth' discussions on conflicts in the Strait of Hormuz during their summit, Seoul officials said. '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 after their Tuesday summit. Lee added that based on the deep friendship and trust built over the past 140 years, the two countries agreed to jointly open a new door for the next 140 years.