President Moon Jae-in held a telephone conversation with newly-elected French President Emmanuel Macron at the Cheong Wa Dae main building for about 20 minutes from 17:15 this afternoon.

President Macron began by saying that he was very pleased to have a chance to speak by phone to President Moon and that his victory in the presidential election and President Moon’s were like twins. He went on to say that his visit to Korea in November 2014 while serving as Minister of Economy, Industry and Digital Affairs still remained a fond memory. He also said that Korea-France relations were quite vibrant between 2015 and 2016, hoping that efforts would be stepped up to advance bilateral relations. He noted the first strategic meeting between the foreign ministers of the two countries held in Seoul, expressing the hope that the second strategic meeting would take place in Paris. He also said he looked forward to meeting President Moon at the forthcoming G20 Summit. Explaining his recent lengthy conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump on North Korea, he said both France and the United States agreed on concerns regarding the North’s development of nuclear-tipped missiles and reaffirmed the joint commitment of the two nations.

President Macron highlighted France’s continued support for Korea’s position, saying that France, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, played a crucial role in resolving the Iranian nuclear issue and that any useful foreign and military information concerned could be shared upon request. He added that if Korea would send relevant officials to France, he would arrange meetings for them with foreign and defense specialists in France. He also said he was glad to hear the news that President Moon had sent his special envoy to the European Union, asking President Moon to send a special emissary to France as well. He continued to say that this communication channel between the two leaders would be regularly maintained and that it would be appreciated if he were given a chance to welcome President Moon to Paris during his visit to Europe to attend the G20 Summit even by extending his planned stay.

In reply, President Moon said that he received the President`s congratulatory letter well and was truly grateful for it, expressing his congratulations on President Macron`s election with overwhelming support. The President next said that President Macron`s victory was a reflection of the French people`s aspirations to promote the French values of openness and tolerance and to march forward toward progress. He added that President Macron’s election was of great help in furthering European integration in the face of Brexit. Noting that they had begun their tenure around the same time, the President said they would be able to better
understand each other since he had put forth new courses to go beyond left and right ideologies during the campaign as President Macron had also done.

President Moon expressed the hope that, with today`s phone call as a starter, they would frequently engage in heart-to-heart discussions on ways to develop bilateral relations and other issues of mutual interest. President Moon said he agreed with President Macron`s opinions that the two countries needed to enhance cooperation by sector at the ministerial level. The President also said he hoped the strategic dialogue between the foreign ministers of the two nations and the defense ministers meeting, which were held last year, would be convened continuously, thereby further promoting strategic cooperative relations between the two nations.

Speaking of economic issues, President Moon expressed his hope that, as President Macron had done when he was the Minister of the Economy, Industry and the Digital Affairs, the two countries would be able to establish channels of dialogue at the ministerial level and closely cooperate with each other. The President also said he hoped that their cooperation in the educational sector would be strengthened through ministerial-level talks.

Expressing gratitude to France for its extensive support so far for South Korea in dealing with the North Korean nuclear issue, President Moon said he intends to achieve the goal of the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula at the earliest date possible through phased and inclusive approaches in parallel with sanctions against and dialogue with the North. President Moon expressed his hope that France would provide a great assistance in the process of solving the North Korean nuclear issue as the country had played a significant role in helping settle the Iran nuclear deal.  

President Moon continued to say he was looking forward to meeting President Macron in person at the G20 Summit scheduled in early July. President Moon said he hoped to hear in detail what President Macron and President Trump discussed on how to solve the North Korean nuclear issue and to consult over possible solutions together at the summit.

President Moon said he hoped to talk with the French President on the phone whenever necessary and cooperate on a range of issues even when they were not able to meet in person. For President Macron’s request to send a special envoy to France, President Moon said he would send the foreign minister as a special envoy when his Cabinet is formed. Expressing gratitude to President Macron for his invitation to visit France, President Moon said he would arrange a visit to France as early as possible. The President also said the foreign minister would be able to discuss such a visit as a special envoy to France.