South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has left for France for a four-day visit aimed at strengthening ties with Paris, including a summit with French President Emmanuel Macron.
The two leaders are expected to discuss cooperation on security, the economy and other areas as Seoul and Paris seek to deepen their growing strategic partnership.
The summit could also cover cooperation on nuclear power and the possible deployment of South Korean troops to the Strait of Hormuz, according to South Korean media, citing an official from the presidential office.
The discussions come amid growing security and economic uncertainty, increasing the importance of closer coordination between Seoul and Paris.
The visit also comes as France and Korea mark 140 years of diplomatic relations, which date back to a treaty signed between France and the Kingdom of Joseon in 1886.
Lee will first travel to Nice, where he is due to attend the Lumière Summit on the future of cinema in nearby Saint-Paul-de-Vence.
He will then travel to Paris for a two-day state visit beginning on Tuesday.
His programme includes a one-to-one lunch with Macron, followed by a formal summit and a dinner hosted by the French president. Lee is also due to meet business leaders at a roundtable involving 20 South Korean and French companies.
The visit follows Macron's trip to South Korea in April, when the two countries agreed to strengthen cooperation across several areas.
National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said Lee's visit should help give greater substance to the “global strategic partnership” established during Macron's visit.
The partnership is intended to expand cooperation in security, the economy and people-to-people exchanges, Wi said.
The latest talks offer Seoul and Paris an opportunity to turn those commitments into practical cooperation while marking 140 years of diplomatic relations.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russia of a deadly drone strike on a Türkiye-owned cargo ship in the Black Sea, killing it...
Regional powers gathered in Moscow on Monday for talks on Afghanistan, focusing on security, economic cooperation and Kabul’s relations with ...
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan held talks in Tehran on Monday on bilateral ties and efforts t...
Iran's Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad has resigned, with Hamid Bovard, chief executive of the state-owned National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), appointed as acting oil minister, according to Iranian state media.
Right-wing Brazilian Senator Flavio Bolsonaro will face leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in a runoff of the presidential election later this month, after he exceeded expectations in Sunday's first-round vote with a slight lead over the incumbent.
Candidates elected to Bosnia and Herzegovina's three-member presidency declared victory after preliminary unofficial results showed Denis Becirovic leading the Bosniak seat, Darijana Filipovic ahead in the Croat seat and Zeljka Cvijanovic likely retaining the Serb seat.
Iran says the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the United States meets seven conditions agreed under a June memorandum, as President Donald Trump signals he may soon decide whether to resume military operations against Tehran.
Uzbekistan’s grape exports have grown rapidly. In January-August 2025, the country exported 86,200 tonnes of fresh grapes worth $78.3 million to 19 countries but can it turn these crops into a recognisable international product?
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russia of a deadly drone strike on a Türkiye-owned cargo ship in the Black Sea, killing its captain and endangering a civilian crew that included Azerbaijani and Indian nationals.
Here's your AnewZ Daily Brief for 5 October 2026. These are the top five elections making headlines around the world.
The United States has withdrawn all 12 of its B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford in Britain, just a week after several people were arrested over an alleged plot targeting the air base.
Australian counterterrorism authorities are examining the links of the co-pilot accused of attacking the captain and attempting to take control of a flydubai flight bound for Israel. Authorities in New Zealand have also said they are investigating reports the suspect had spent time in that country.
Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on Monday called a snap election for 29 November in a bid to strengthen his mandate after a fragmented parliament rejected the government's key housing decrees last week amid widespread protests.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment