President Lee Jae-myung Receives France's Highest Order of Merit... Gifts Cheongja Gayageum to Macron

President Lee Jaemyung and his wife, who are on a state visit to France, attended a state banquet hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron in France on the 8th and received the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, France’s highest distinction. First Lady Kim Hyekyung was awarded the Grand Cross of the National Order of Merit. In his banquet remarks, President Lee expressed his feelings, mentioning his experience of meeting Korean War veterans during the wreathlaying ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe. He also emphasized his close relationship with President Macron and said that Korea and France should expand cooperation in areas such as nuclear energy, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, quantum technology, critical minerals, and cultural exchanges. He presented President Macron with a celadon gayageum and French and Koreanlanguage editions of works by author Han Kang, and he delivered to Brigitte Macron a complete set of Jo Sumi’s Ravel piano works and a motherofpearl clutch bag. The banquet that day was joined by 17 figures from the business and cultural sectors to commemorate the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and France, and featured a business roundtable and a performance by singer Hwasa.