Full Breakdown
South Korean President Lee Jae-Myung’s State Visit to France Centers on the Lumière Summit
9/4/2026, 11:06:57 AM
Core Event
South Korean President Lee Jae-Myung will make a state visit to France from September 6 to September 9. The centerpiece is the one-day Lumière Summit on September 7 in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, which he will co-chair with French President Emmanuel Macron. The summit will convene roughly 150 politicians, policy makers and film-industry leaders to discuss how the sector should respond to artificial intelligence, competition from social-media platforms and funding shortages. On September 8, President Lee will hold a summit and luncheon with President Macron and attend a business roundtable with executives from about 20 South Korean and French companies. The visit concludes on September 9 with meetings with French National Assembly President Yael Braun-Pivet and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Secretary-General Mathias Cormann.
Background & Context
The trip follows the upgrade of bilateral ties to a “strategic partnership” during President Macron’s April visit to Seoul. South Korean officials view the itinerary as an opportunity to broaden cooperation beyond culture, extending into artificial intelligence, aerospace, biotech and other high-tech fields. National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac emphasized that the visit aims to add fresh momentum to South Korea’s diplomacy with Europe.
Official Statements & Responses
Director Wi highlighted the diplomatic significance, stating: “It will serve as an opportunity to strengthen global strategic partnership with France and add new momentum to the expansion of diplomacy with Europe,” — Director Wi
Data & Statistics
- September 6-9: Duration of the state visit.
- September 7: Date of the Lumière Summit.
- 150 invited participants from politics and the film sector.
- 20 South Korean and French companies slated for the business roundtable.
- July 22: National Security Office chief Wi Sung-rak briefed on the upcoming trip, marking the first public disclosure of the itinerary.
What’s Next
After the September 9 meetings in Paris, President Lee will return to Seoul, where his office is expected to outline follow-up actions on AI, aerospace and biotech collaborations with France.
