President Lee Jae-myung will visit France from September 6 to 9 at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron. The schedule is divided between an international summit on the film and audiovisual industries and a state visit program in Paris. The results of the visit and follow-up measures will be confirmed through official announcements by the two governments after the summit talks.
The Lumière Summit in Saint-Paul-de-Vence on September 7
On September 7, President Lee will attend the Lumière Summit in Saint-Paul-de-Vence in southern France as co-chair alongside President Macron. The Élysée Palace has described the event as the first international summit focused on the future of film and audiovisual media, with 150 senior-level participants expected from more than 30 countries.
The official agenda includes the impact of artificial intelligence on the film and audiovisual sectors, media literacy education, and economic models for the film and audiovisual industries. For readers interested in popular culture, the key point is that the event is both a diplomatic engagement between national leaders and an opportunity to track changes and policy priorities in the audiovisual industry.
The state visit program in Paris begins September 8
Over two days starting September 8, Paris will host events including a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, an official welcome ceremony, a luncheon and expanded summit meeting with President Macron, a Korea-France business roundtable, and a state dinner. The Lumière Summit in Saint-Paul-de-Vence and the summit and economic program in Paris differ in both location and purpose.
In April 2026, South Korea and France upgraded their relationship to a global strategic partnership and included expanded cooperation in AI, quantum computing, semiconductors, nuclear energy, space, and culture in a joint statement. The official announcements released after the summit on September 8 and the schedule on September 9 will be the basis for determining what agreements are actually reached during this visit.
Strait of Hormuz matters remain undecided
The Office of the President of South Korea said it is reviewing ways to contribute regarding the Strait of Hormuz, but that no decision has been made on either military or non-military forms of contribution. Reports about the possibility that the Hormuz issue could be discussed at the summit should therefore be distinguished from the government’s officially stated position at present. Claims that a deployment or specific military action has been finalized are not verified facts.