Yoon Conducts Expo and Sales Diplomacy in France and Vietnam with 205-Member Economic Delegation

Ceremony for Advanced Company Investment in Europe Region Held
Digital Forum at Sorbonne University with Scholars
Multiple MOUs Signed at Korea-Vietnam Business Forum
Largest Economic Delegation Since Yoon Administration Inauguration

President Yoon Suk-yeol will embark on a 4-night, 6-day trip from the 19th to the 24th, visiting France and Vietnam. President Yoon plans to focus not only on deepening relations and exchanges through the Korea-France summit and the state visit to Vietnam but also on economic diplomacy, including activities to attract the 2030 Busan Expo, expanding mutual investments, strengthening cooperation in advanced technologies, and increasing human and material exchanges in each country.

Kim Tae-hyo, First Deputy Director of the National Security Office, revealed President Yoon's 4-night, 6-day itinerary during a briefing at the Yongsan Presidential Office on the afternoon of the 13th. The itinerary for President Yoon’s France and Vietnam visits includes 16 events, and excluding the meeting with overseas Koreans, there are 14 events.

Support for Expo Hosting and Strengthening Korea-France and Korea-Vietnam Cooperation

[Image source=Yonhap News]

First, President Yoon will personally attend the 172nd General Assembly of the International Bureau of Expositions (BIE) held in Paris on the 20th and 21st to support the bid for the 2030 World Expo in Busan and to change the atmosphere. At the Cabinet meeting held at the Yongsan Presidential Office on the morning of the same day, President Yoon announced his plan to attend the BIE General Assembly, emphasizing that "it will be an opportunity to showcase the differentiated vision of the Busan Expo." On the 20th, he will participate in the competitor presentation (PT) event, and on the 21st, he will host the official reception organized by Korea, conducting promotional activities targeting delegations and diplomatic corps from various countries.

During his visit to France, President Yoon will hold a summit and luncheon with French President Emmanuel Macron at the ?lys?e Palace on the 20th. Deputy Director Kim said, "The two leaders will discuss how to harmoniously develop their respective Indo-Pacific strategies and contribute to freedom, peace, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region," adding, "From 2024 to 2025, during Korea’s term as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, we will discuss ways to enhance cooperation with France, a permanent Security Council member, on international security issues." He also explained, "Korea and France, which recorded a record-high trade volume of $13 billion last year, will discuss ways to expand mutual investments and deepen cooperation in economic security, artificial intelligence, space, and advanced future industries."

After the visit to France, President Yoon will make a state visit to Vietnam from the 22nd to the 24th. This visit is a reciprocal visit following the state visit to Korea by then Vietnamese State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc at the end of last year. On the 23rd, President Yoon will hold a Korea-Vietnam summit with Vietnamese State President Vo Van Thuong to discuss ways to expand and develop the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. He will also hold individual meetings with Vietnam’s top leadership, including Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary of the Communist Party and the highest-ranking official, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue. Additionally, he will attend official state events, including a state banquet. Deputy Director Kim expressed the significance of this state visit, saying, "As the government enters its second year, we expect to fully activate the Indo-Pacific strategy and the Korea-ASEAN solidarity initiative."

President Yoon, the No. 1 Salesperson, Economic Schedule Focused on Service Infrastructure, Future Generation Solidarity, and Digital Leadership... 205 Economic Delegates Accompany

[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Yoon will carry out an itinerary aligned with the economic themes of this trip: ▲expanding service infrastructure exports ▲supporting solidarity among future generations ▲digital leadership initiatives. First, President Yoon will engage in a dialogue on challenges and innovation with 150 young representatives from Korea and France, including startup leaders and panelists, at 'Station F,' the world’s largest startup campus located in Paris, France. He will then attend an investment declaration ceremony by advanced European companies that have decided to invest in Korea. This is the fourth time President Yoon has attended such an investment declaration ceremony during his trips, following New York, Davos in Switzerland, and Washington, D.C. Next, he plans to hold the Paris Digital Forum at Sorbonne University with scholars, announcing initiatives to establish new global digital norms. Chief Secretary for Economic Affairs Choi Sang-mok explained at the Yongsan Presidential Office briefing that "this is to share our government’s digital national agenda in the heart of Europe, following the New York initiative."

In Vietnam, four economic events are scheduled: the Korea-Vietnam Partnership Expo, a luncheon meeting with Korean businesspeople operating in Vietnam, a business forum, and a dialogue with the digital future generation. At the expo, President Yoon will attend the K-Industry showcase site, a trade consultation meeting involving 100 Korean small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and 200 Vietnamese companies, and the K-Food Festival to encourage businesspeople. He will also visit the venue of the Young Tech Startup Grand Challenge, which selects young Vietnamese entrepreneurs planning to start businesses in Korea, to support the dreams and challenges of Vietnamese youth.

During the luncheon meeting with businesspeople operating in Vietnam, President Yoon will encourage representatives from key industries, listen to their difficulties, and exchange ideas to further expand cooperation with Vietnam. Approximately 9,000 Korean companies operate in Vietnam, creating over 700,000 jobs locally and contributing to Vietnam’s exports and GDP. He will also attend the Korea-Vietnam Business Forum, which will be attended by 500 businesspeople from both countries. At this event, President Yoon will evaluate the achievements of economic cooperation with Vietnam and propose a partnership for the next 30 years, focusing on revitalizing trade and advancing cooperation. Chief Secretary Choi said, "On this occasion, companies from both countries are preparing to sign multiple memorandums of understanding (MOUs) on supply chain cooperation for rare metals between institutions, infrastructure export development cooperation, and new industry technology cooperation." As with the visit to France, a dialogue with the future generation is also planned. President Yoon will engage in conversations with young researchers and innovators at 'V-KIST,' established through official development assistance (ODA) projects, and 'Korea IT School,' which trains software personnel, both located at Samsung Electronics’ research and development (R&D) center.

Notably, the visit to Vietnam will be accompanied by the largest economic delegation since the launch of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, consisting of 205 members. Chief Secretary Choi explained, "81% of them are small and medium-sized businesspeople, who are the future and main drivers of our exports," adding, "The sectors include a large number of service fields such as distribution, finance, law, medical care, IT, and cultural content." Major group representatives attending include Lee Jae-yong, Chairman of Samsung Electronics; Chey Tae-won, Chairman of SK Group; Chung Eui-sun, Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group; Koo Kwang-mo, Chairman of LG Group; Shin Dong-bin, Chairman of Lotte Group; and Kim Dong-kwan, Vice Chairman of Hanwha Group.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.