By Cho A-la and Lee Hana

Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon met with former French President François Hollande at the Government Complex Seoul on Oct. 16. They discussed ways to increase cooperation between Korea and France, and other wide-ranging issues including North Korean nuclear weapons issues.

The prime minister first mentioned the success of the cultural events hosted by the two countries in celebration of 130 years of diplomatic relations between Seoul and Paris. He said that these cultural exchanges, which took place during Hollande's term as president, were instrumental in elevating the Korea-France partnership to the next level.

"Coincidentally, our two countries launched new governments at the same time, in May 2017. Using the momentum provided by our cooperative relationship in the past, let's work together to further strengthen our partnership in the years ahead," he said.

"Korea is the first country that I'm visiting since stepping down as president, an indication that I'm willing to partake in the efforts to further our relationship. Moreover, I would like to show France's solidarity with the Korean government in the face of continued threats from North Korea," said Hollande. "The relationship France built with Korea during my term will continue in President Macron's presidency," he added.

"Korea remembers that France dispatched over 3,400 soldiers to South Korea during the Korean War, helping us to establish the democratic nation of today. We ask that France, as a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, continue to lend its support to maintaining peace on the Korean Peninsula. I also ask that you, as France's former head of state, lead efforts to improve relations between our two countries," said the prime minister.

ala0919@korea.kr