Agrees to expand cooperation on nuclear power, AI and semiconductors; gifts Macron a celadon gayageum and Han Kang's novels
President Lee Jae Myung, on a state visit to France, received the country's highest honor while attending a state dinner hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron. Marking the 140th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries, Lee called for stronger cooperation in future high-tech industries. He said he and Macron had become true "copains," or friends.
Cheong Wa Dae Chief Spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said in a written briefing Tuesday (local time) that Lee and first lady Kim Hye-kyung attended the state dinner hosted by Macron that evening.
Ahead of the dinner, Macron awarded Lee the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor, France's highest decoration, and presented Kim with the Grand Cross of the National Order of Merit. Kang explained that the honors reflected "high recognition of their contribution to advancing friendly relations between Korea and France" and represented "the highest level of courtesy" toward the South Korean president and first lady.
The dinner drew a large delegation of 17 prominent figures from the business and cultural sectors, along with government officials. Business leaders in attendance included Federation of Korean Industries Chairman Ryu Jin, Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong and LS Group Chairman Koo Ja-eun. Also present were Hyosung Group Chairman Cho Hyun-joon, LG Electronics President Ryu Jae-chul, Hyundai Motor President Sung Kim and Naver CEO Choi Soo-yeon. From the cultural sector, attendees included Nexon Korea co-CEO Kang Dae-hyun, SLL CEO Park Jun-seo and Busan International Film Festival Chairman Park Kwang-su. Also attending were Korean Film Council Chairperson Han Sang-jun, Korea Creative Content Agency Chief Kim Yoon-jee and singer Hwasa.
In his dinner remarks, Lee recounted meeting veterans of the Battle of Jipyeong-ri from the Korean War during a flower-laying ceremony that morning, saying, "Tears welled up in my eyes at that moment."
He then emphasized building on the two countries' 140 years of friendship. He said this means "expanding the horizons of future cooperation in nuclear power, AI, semiconductors, quantum technology, critical minerals, and cultural and personnel exchanges." Lee went on to say, "Through this visit, I feel I have become a true 'copain' with President Macron — a word meaning 'a friend who shares bread.'" He wished for the two countries' lasting friendship and prosperity.
The two leaders also exchanged custom gifts symbolizing their summit diplomacy. Lee gave Macron, an avid music lover, a miniature celadon gayageum, a handcrafted version of the traditional Korean stringed instrument. In addition, Macron had quoted Nobel Prize-winning author Han Kang during his visit to Korea in April. In honor of that, Lee presented French and Korean editions of Han's acclaimed novels "We Do Not Part," "Human Acts" and "The Vegetarian." As a reciprocal gift, Brigitte Macron received an album of pianist Cho Seong-jin's complete recording of Ravel's piano works, along with a traditional Korean mother-of-pearl clutch bag.
sunpine@heraldcorp.com
