South Korean President Lee wraps up France visit, heads home

Paris, Sep 10 (AHN) South Korean President Lee Jae Myung headed home after wrapping up his four-day visit to France, where he focused on strengthening cooperation in advanced industries and culture.

Lee is scheduled to arrive in South Korea on Thursday.

On Sunday, Lee co-chaired a summit event on the future of the cinema industry with French President Emmanuel Macron in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, announcing a joint investment initiative to support the sector.

From Tuesday to Wednesday, Lee paid a state visit to Paris, where he held a summit with Macron on strengthening cooperation in the artificial intelligence (AI), defence and nuclear energy sectors before attending a state dinner hosted by Macron and his wife.

Lee's visit reciprocated Macron's trip to Seoul in April, as the countries mark the 140th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties this year, reports Yonhap news agency.

South Korea and France have signed an initial pact to strengthen cooperation on artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors and quantum technologies, the science ministry said Wednesday.

The signing of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) took place Tuesday (French time) on the sidelines of President Lee Jae Myung's state visit to France this week, according to the ministry.

Under the MOU, the two countries will hold regular meetings on AI and quantum technologies, push for joint research, and cooperate in attracting investment to enter each other's markets.

Lee also met with Yael Braun-Pivet, speaker of the French National Assembly, expressing hope that the two countries could open a new chapter of cooperation for the next 140 years.

"I hope the governments and national assemblies of South Korea and France can open a new 140 years (of cooperation) between the two countries," Lee wrote in a guestbook after arriving at Braun-Pivet's office.

During the meeting, Lee called for the French parliament's role in elevating South Korea-France relations, as well as the development of democracy, South Korean presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said.

The South Korean president, in particular, noted that the potential for expanded cooperation between the two countries is high in various sectors, including trade, investment, advanced technology and social policy, highlighting the importance of cooperation between their assemblies.

Braun-Pivet responded that Lee's special attention to the role of the French National Assembly was highly meaningful, according to Kang.