S. Korea, France agree to strengthen partnerships in tackling climate change, NK threats

President Yoon Suk Yeol and French President Emmanuel Macron walks to have their breakfast meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, Friday (local time). Joint Press Corps

PARIS — President Yoon Suk Yeol and French President Emmanuel Macron decided to strengthen bilateral cooperation in future and advanced industries, Friday (local time), during their summit on the occasion of Yoon's visit to Paris to promote the South Korean city of Busan's bid to host the World Expo 2030.

During the summit, the leaders acknowledged the active exchanges between the two countries in the fields of rechargeable batteries and renewable energy, and stressed the need to expand their partnerships in nuclear power, quantum computing, startups, semiconductors and other future industries.

Also, Yoon and Macron noted that the South Korea-France partnership should encompass efforts to combat climate change, and promised to step up ties in lowering carbon reliance and renewable energies. In doing so, Macron highlighted South Korea’s carbon-free energy initiative.

On the political front, the leaders echoed the necessity of international cooperation to contain North Korea’s continued nuclear and missile provocations, with Macron expressing Paris’ full support on South Korea’s stance on the North Korea issue.

The summit came five months after Yoon and Macron met in June, when Yoon visited Paris to promote Busan’s Expo bid.

Yoon returned to Paris this week in a last-minute effort to sell the idea that the Busan is the optimal host for the World Expo 2030 to the diplomats and delegations to the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), with just four days remaining before the Expo governing body is to hold its general assembly and vote for the host city. Reportedly, the latest summit was arranged on the request from France.

South Korea’s presidential office said the summit served as an opportunity to strengthen industrial and economic partnerships and security cooperation with France, based on the two countries’ friendship and mutual trust.