The Digester
politics

South Korea and France to upgrade ties to a global strategic partnership

President Lee and President Macron will hold a Seoul summit on April 3 to formalize a global strategic partnership and deepen cooperation on trade, technology and energy.

Apr 3rd 2026 ยท South Korea

Insights

  • Blue House said Presidents Lee and Macron will elevate bilateral relations to a global strategic partnership during a summit in Seoul on April 3.
  • Macron arrived in South Korea on April 2 for a two-day state visit, the first French presidential state visit since 2015.
  • Macron will meet the CEOs of Samsung, Naver and Hyundai and attend a business forum and deliver a speech at Yonsei University to boost trade and industrial ties.
  • About 140 government officials and business executives will join a post-summit lunch that will include Felix of Stray Kids as an honorary ambassador to France.
  • President Lee said cooperation should expand into strategic collaboration on artificial intelligence and nuclear energy.
  • Bilateral trade in 2025 stood at US$6.4 billion in South Korean exports to France and US$8.6 billion in imports.

Sources