French ambassador calls 2026 landmark year as Korea and France celebrate 140 years of ties

French Ambassador to Korea Philippe Bertoux hailed 2026 as a "landmark year" for bilateral ties, citing an unprecedented run of three summits within the year, at the embassy's largest-ever National Day reception Tuesday marking the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

"There are some years that count double, or even triple. This is clearly the case for 2026," Bertoux said in his address at the Grand Hyatt Seoul.

He noted President Emmanuel Macron's state visit to Korea in April successfully elevated the bilateral relationship to a "global strategic partnership," one of three summits this year that also include the Group of 7 in June — where President Lee Jae Myung met Macron — and this fall's "Sommet Lumière" and Lee's return state visit to Paris.

Korea's Second Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jin-a delivered a congratulatory address, and the reception featured a performance by singer Stella Jang along with French cuisine and wine.

BY SEO JI-EUN   [[email protected]]