President Lee Jae Myung (right) and French President Emmanuel Macron on Nov. 22 hold bilateral talks on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders' Summit at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg.

By Yoon Sojung
Photos = Office of the President

President Lee Jae Myung on Nov. 22 held a series of bilateral talks with the leaders of France, Germany, India and Brazil on the sidelines of the G20 summit in South Africa of rich and developing economies in Johannesburg.

First in talks with French President Emmanuel Macron, President Lee discussed cooperation ahead of the 140th anniversary of their bilateral relations next year.

"I hope that cooperation can be raised in areas such as culture, economy, security and cutting-edge technology," President Lee said. "Next year marks the 140th anniversary of bilateral relations. I know that you couldn't visit Korea in September as planned, so I hope you definitely visit next year."

"I hope that Korea and France further develop their bilateral relationship at a strategic level in various aspects," he added, urging the creation of new opportunities through exchanges and cooperation in advanced technologies such as the defense industry, artificial intelligence (AI) and space as well as cultural fields.

In response, President Macron said, "I believe we can keep cooperating in various fields such as security, quantum computing, AI, space, nuclear power generation and renewable energy," adding, "I will try to visit Korea next year."

"To mark the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year, I hope that our two countries can tangibly achieve our potential for diverse cooperation through high-level exchanges."

Later in his first summit with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, President Lee agreed that their two countries, both global manufacturing powers that share a history of division, should reinforce relations by focusing on areas of common interest such as cooperation in energy and key minerals.

"If you have any hidden know-how on how you overcame division and formed a unified Germany, please share it with us," President Lee said. "As Europe strengthens its defense capacity, Germany, a defense industry superpower, plays an important role."

He also urged Chancellor Merz to pay heed to deepening cooperation between Korean defense companies and Germany.

Both leaders agreed to continue talks on developing bilateral relations through mutual visits next year.

President Lee continued his diplomacy that day with individual talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Prime Minister Modi hailed Korea's successful hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province. He also proposed "small-scale cooperation" between the two countries in future-oriented fields such as shipbuilding and urged stronger bilateral cooperation in defense.

Both leaders also agreed on the need to boost cooperation in areas including AI and the defense industry and pursue working-level consultations.

On Prime Minister Modi's invitation to him to visit India, President Lee said he hoped to go as early as possible and urged the enhancement of exchanges in areas like economy, culture and security.

Finally with Brazilian President Lula, President Lee discussed socioeconomic topics such as income distribution and economic development policy in both countries. They agreed to bolster comprehensive cooperation covering pan-government exchanges and collaboration in sectors like diplomacy, finance, industry, technology, education and energy as well as private sector cooperation involving businesspeople.

Both leaders exchanged greetings and promised the warmest welcome if one visited the other's country.

President Lee Jae Myung (right) and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Nov. 22 hold a summit on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders' Summit at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg.