President Lee Jae Myung (right) on Sept. 9 speaks to Mathias Cormann, secretary-general of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, at a hotel in Paris.

By Margareth Theresia
Photos = Cheong Wa Dae

President Lee Jae Myung on Sept. 9 took a flight home after concluding his five-day state visit to France.

On the last day of his trip, he held talks in Paris with Yael Braun-Pivet, president of the French National Assembly, attended a luncheon with ethnic Koreans in France and spoke to Matthias Cormann, secretary-general of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

In their talks, President Lee and Secretary-General Cormann reviewed the contributions made over the past 30 years to each side's development to mark the 30th anniversary of Korea's entry into the OECD, as well as discuss future cooperation.

President Lee called the OECD an important partner in Korea's economic and social development over the past three decades. Based on the experience accumulated in the economic, social, and science and technology sectors, he added, Korea will keep contributing to the OECD's discussions and activities to promote global prosperity and human welfare.

Secretary-General Cormann hailed Korea's remarkable growth, namely its transformation from a recipient of development assistance to a donor and emergence as a major exporting power, as a source of major inspiration to the world. He also commended Seoul's participation in OECD activities, including serving as vice chair of this year's OECD Ministerial Council Meeting.

The two sides agreed on the need for common solutions based on objective analysis to tackle complex challenges such as demographic change, low growth, technological innovation such as artificial intelligence (AI) and supply chain restructuring. They also pledged to explore cooperation to secure future growth engines in the AI era.

President Lee Jae Myung (right) and first lady Kim Hea Kyung on Sept. 9 hold bouquets presented by children at a luncheon with ethnic Koreans in France at the historic event venue Pavillon Cambon Capucines in Paris.

Earlier, President Lee and first lady Kim Hea Kyung attended a luncheon with ethnic Koreans in France to commemorate the 140th anniversary of bilateral ties and develop stronger relations.

A roundtable discussion was attended by some 130 members of the Korean community including representatives from the Association of Korean Residents in France, Korean Women's Association in France, Association of Active Young Koreans in France and Korean adoptee groups, advisory committee members of the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council, and Korean figures from religion, arts and education.

Countries all over the world seek to cooperate with Korea in a more diverse sectors, from cutting-edge industries to culture and the arts, the president said, urging Korean diplomatic missions abroad to act as hubs not only for Korean corporate advances worldwide but also for the spread of Korean culture.

President Lee Jae Myung (left in center) on Sept. 9 attends talks with Yael Braun-Pivet, president of the French National Assembly, at her official residence in Paris.

Before the luncheon, President Lee in talks with Yael Braun-Pivet, president of the French National Assembly, discussed the role of a legislature in advancing democracy and urged French parliamentary interest and cooperation to raise bilateral relations.

The parliamentarian thanked President Lee for visiting the Assembly, calling his visit "highly significant" and citing his "special interest" in the legislature's role as a representative of democracy.

President Lee said reflecting the will of the people in politics is the essence of democracy at a time when democracy is under threat worldwide, adding that the legislature plays a key role in this process.

Both countries have great potential to expand cooperation in sectors such as trade and investment, advanced technology and social policy, he said, stressing close legislative cooperation as necessary for bolstering bilateral relations.

The two sides also discussed the expansion of cultural and people-to-people exchanges and pledged to promote exchanges and communication between their legislatures.

margareth@korea.kr