Cooperation in the fields of scientific and technological research represents an essential element in the global French-Korean partnership sealed in December 2004 by Presidents Roh Moo-hyun and Jacques Chirac.
This cooperation is focused, as a priority, on six fields: information technology, nano technology, bio technology, fundamental sciences, human and social sciences, aeronautics and space.
Cooperation exists in other fields as well, most notably in medical research and particularly in the fight against cancer, as well as in scientific policy and technological innovation in which the sharing of experience is important due to our two countries’ different but complementary approaches.
Launched in 2003 and financed conjointly by both countries, the French-Korean program ``STAR” manages, each year, between 35 and 40 two-year projects and allows exchanges of scientists, young researchers and the organization of seminars and round-tables in both France and Korea.
In April 2004, with the support of the Korean government, the establishment of the Pasteur Institute of Korea in Seoul is a testimony to the exceptional quality of partnerships which can be developed between the two countries.
Since then, other conjoint French-Korean laboratories have either been opened, such as the Center of Photonics and Nanostructure in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, or are in development such as the Conjoint Laboratory in Particle Physics in Daejeon.
Finally, developing collaboration, as regards the construction of the European research entity and the 7th Framework Program, is a priority of our shared actions.
Cooperation in the field of energy is based essentially on policy regarding the production and distribution of electricity, as well as on the design of new power plants. Other joint projects have been established for the development of hydrogen and combustible batteries, as well as the development of nano technology.
French-Korean contacts are also quite numerous within multilateral international collaborations, such as the ITER nuclear fusion project in which Korea is one of 10 participants, and the GIF and GENEP projects for the development of systems of the future in the field of nuclear fission.
In the field of higher education, there are more than 210 agreements between universities of both countries in the fields of science, engineering, economics and management, law, political science, languages and literature, social sciences, fine arts, cinema, design, architecture and urbanism, among which 151 are active and promote ongoing exchanges.
Nearly 7000 Korean students are presently studying in France in numerous fields, with a turnover of 1,500 to 1,700 new students each year thus representing the second largest contingent of Asian students in France, after the Chinese.
In order to promote, in Korea, the attractiveness of French higher education, the French Embassy opened ``Campus France’’ in June 2006 dedicated to greeting, informing, advising and guiding Korean students who wish to continue their studies in France, either in English or French, as well as to helping them through the administrative procedures necessary in obtaining a student visa.
Furthermore, in June 2005, the ``Blaise Pascal’’ scholarship program was launched which allows bright students from the best Korean universities, after being selected by a French-Korean panel, to obtain scholarships to further their studies at the Master or PhD level in the best and most prestigious French universities.
Finally, new joint exchange programmes are being set up. These are particularly geared towards the field of cultural management and developing engineers by creating consortiums of French and Korean universities linked to corporate groups of both countries.
Korea has, henceforth, established itself as a major cultural pole and leading country in Asi,a and seeks to be included among the most important cultural countries in terms of international programming and infrastructure.
France, which has trained and welcomed numerous Korean artists for many years, supports this desire by mobilizing its most prestigious French institutions and museums (Musee du Louvre, Musee d’Orsay, Centre Pompidou, Musee Picasso, Musee Guimet, Musee Marmottant), foundations (Dubuffet, Rouault, Maeght..), and schools (Orchestre de Radio France, Orchestre National De Paris, Opera National de Paris et de Lyon), in order to facilitate the showing, in Korea, of large international-scale exhibitions and performances.
In 2006, the celebration of the 120th anniversary of the French-Korean relationship brought together 80 French events in Korea, which were attended by close to 1.5 million visitors and spectators, and many Korean events in France of which many were critically acclaimed co-productions.
French cooperation also supports the flow of students, artists and cultural professionals between the two countries. In 2006, 430 French art professionals travelled to Korea, and 170 Korean professionals travelled to France.
All the while, the number of Korean students receiving training in the arts in France reached 2500. The priorities of French cooperation concerns the development of lodging for artists, exchanges between universities or art schools, and the promotion of contemporary creation by encouraging joint creations, particularly in dance, Cirque Nouveau and modern music. Exchanges in musicology, design, architecture and urbanism are the basis for new programs.
Finally, the agreement of cinematographic co-production signed in November 2006 between France and Korea, the first of its kind for Korea, has taken effect as of June 2007 and should facilitate joint movie productions and promotion of national productions in both countries.