Lee Jae-myung, Macron launch 800 billion won Lumière pact for Korea-France film ties — K-content’s five-year turnaround

Summit diplomacy expands K-content’s reach and reshapes global audiovisual industry

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, on a state visit to France, made a bold push for “K-content” at the heart of global cultural influence. After successfully completing his schedule at the international film and audiovisual summit, the “Lumière Summit,” held on the 7th local time in Saint-Paul-de-Vence near Nice, Lee secured a strong foothold for South Korean content in global markets.

Taking the stage as co-chair, Lee formally announced the launch of the “Lumière Partnership,” a major cultural alliance between South Korea and France. The initiative is a large-scale investment partnership under which the two countries will each invest astronomical sums over the next five years in the film and audiovisual industries: “800 billion won” from South Korea and “500 million euros” from France.

At a film and audiovisual roundtable and a subsequent meeting with Motion Picture Association member companies, Lee stressed the limitless potential of South Korean content and expressed his commitment to providing full support for its global expansion. Participants responded in kind and abruptly adopted the “Lumière Summit Declaration,” which sets out the following three key principles.

• Protecting creative freedom

• Reaffirming the value of theatrical viewing

• Protecting diversity in works

After completing his cultural diplomacy, Lee is now turning his attention to advanced industries and global security. He will travel to Paris for a summit with French President Emmanuel Macron, where they will hold in-depth discussions on strengthening cooperation in advanced industries, including “AI (artificial intelligence)” and “nuclear power generation,” to create future growth engines.

The international community is closely watching to see what strategic solution the two leaders will develop for the “Strait of Hormuz crisis,” which has heightened tensions around the world.