Seoul: President Lee Jae Myung held his first phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday and pledged to deepen cooperation, the presidential office said.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Macron congratulated Lee on his inauguration and expressed his hope that the new administration would further strengthen bilateral friendship and cooperation. President spokesperson Kang Yu-jung conveyed these sentiments in a written briefing.
Lee highlighted the growing trade and investment between South Korea and France, and expressed optimism for expanded cooperation in strategic industries such as artificial intelligence (AI), aerospace, and defense. The conversation also covered the security situation on the Korean Peninsula and its broader region.
Both leaders agreed to maintain open communication and use the upcoming 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year as an opportunity to advance their relationship into a "comprehensive partnership for the 21st century."
In a separate conversation on Thursday, Lee also spoke with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. During this call, Lee appreciated the continued cooperation in defense manufacturing and expressed hope for advancing their mutually beneficial partnership. Tusk echoed this sentiment, noting the potential for broader bilateral cooperation beyond defense manufacturing.