South Korean president heads to France for talks with Macron

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung left for France on Sunday for a four-day visit focused on strengthening ties with President Emmanuel Macron in security, trade and other areas.

Lee will begin his official schedule on Sept. 7 in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, where the Lumière Summit will bring together 150 figures from the animation and film industries from more than 30 countries. He will then travel to Paris for meetings with Macron and delegations from both countries at the Élysée Palace.

Lee is also due to meet business leaders from 20 companies from the two countries in Paris, according to South Korea’s Yonhap news agency. French presidential sources said the two sides could announce cooperation involving artificial intelligence, semiconductors, defense and civilian nuclear energy.

Yonhap, citing an official in the presidential office, said the talks could also address a possible troop deployment in the Strait of Hormuz. Seoul said Friday that it was considering the option but had made no commitment. Lee’s visit follows Macron’s trip to South Korea in April, when the two countries deepened their ties.