France and South Korea have agreed to deepen cooperation in defence, technology, trade and energy, as French President Emmanuel Macron and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung seek to strengthen their strategic partnership amid growing uncertainty in the international order.
The two leaders announced the agreements after holding a summit at the Élysée Palace in Paris on Tuesday, as South Korea marks the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations with France.
The meeting builds on efforts by both countries to expand their relationship beyond traditional diplomatic ties. Their partnership was elevated to a global strategic partnership earlier this year, with the two governments identifying security, advanced technology, energy and other strategic industries as areas for closer cooperation.
Lee’s state visit to France is part of that broader effort, coming months after Macron visited South Korea for talks with the South Korean president.
At the summit, the two countries signed an agreement to strengthen the protection and exchange of military information, providing a stronger framework for cooperation in national defence and the defence industry. They also agreed to work towards a separate military logistics support agreement aimed at improving the stability and effectiveness of cooperation between their armed forces.
The two sides are also seeking mutually beneficial defence projects that combine French technological expertise with South Korea’s manufacturing capabilities.
The economic relationship was another major focus, with Lee announcing a target of increasing annual bilateral trade to $20 billion by 2030. The two countries also agreed to expand cooperation in artificial intelligence, semiconductors and quantum technology, including joint research and development projects designed to encourage technological innovation and investment.
The technology partnership already includes a major private-sector deal between Samsung Electronics and French AI company Mistral AI. Under the agreement, Samsung will become a strategic investor in Mistral AI, while the two companies will work on an AI model for Samsung designed in part to protect sensitive semiconductor information.
The deal reflects the growing effort by both countries to connect their technology industries and build cooperation around strategically important AI and semiconductor capabilities.
Energy is also emerging as an important part of the partnership. Seoul and Paris agreed to pursue cooperation on next-generation nuclear reactors and diversify related supply chains, while working towards a high-level dialogue on civil nuclear energy.
The two sides are also considering joint research on nuclear power plants, including small modular reactors, as they look to expand collaboration in advanced energy technologies.
For both countries, the agreements could provide a way to strengthen economic resilience while opening new opportunities for companies. South Korea brings significant manufacturing and technological capabilities, particularly in semiconductors and advanced industries, while France offers technological expertise, investment opportunities and access to the wider European market.
The $20 billion trade target and planned joint projects could therefore translate the political partnership into more commercial opportunities for businesses in both countries.
The two leaders also discussed wider international security concerns, including the situation on the Korean Peninsula and the Middle East. Lee said South Korea and France would continue working to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, while Macron expressed France’s support for efforts to maintain peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. Macron has also called for a peaceful Indo-Pacific in which countries can protect their sovereignty and strategic autonomy rather than becoming dependent on any single major power.
The latest agreements therefore mark an attempt by France and South Korea to turn their 140-year diplomatic relationship into a broader strategic and economic partnership. With cooperation now extending from defence and military information to AI, semiconductors, nuclear energy and trade, both governments are betting that closer ties can strengthen their position in an increasingly competitive and uncertain global environment.
