In celebration of France's largest national holiday, Bastille Day, a gathering reaffirming the strong ties between South Korea and France took place.
The French Embassy in Korea hosted the "2026 French National Day and 140th Anniversary of Korea-France Diplomatic Relations" event on July 14 at the Grand Hyatt Seoul in Yongsan.
Bastille Day, celebrated annually on July 14, marks the storming of the Bastille prison in Paris in 1789, which signaled the start of the French Revolution. In France, this day is commemorated with large parades on the Champs-Élysées and other national festivities.
This year's Bastille Day celebration in Korea was particularly significant as it coincided with the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Special logos commemorating the anniversary and the slogan "Creativity, Opportunity, Solidarity" were displayed throughout the venue, symbolizing the forward-looking partnership between South Korea and France.
Among the attendees were French Ambassador Philippe Bertu and South Korea's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Jin-ah, who both contributed to the event's significance.
In his welcoming remarks, Ambassador Bertu stated, "This year is unprecedented for our political relations," highlighting the recent state visit of President Emmanuel Macron in April and the G7 summit held in Évian in June. He noted that three high-level exchanges would occur within six months, including an international conference on film and animation scheduled for September in Saint-Paul-de-Vence.
Bertu emphasized that "2026 will be a year of doubling and tripling our relations," urging both nations to move forward together with passion and trust based on their 140 years of solid friendship.
Deputy Minister Kim reflected on the long-standing relationship between the two countries, stating, "140 years is not just a measure of time but a special friendship built on the sacrifices of over 3,000 young French individuals who dedicated themselves to the freedom and peace of Korea during the Korean War."
He also outlined a vision for the future, noting that France has been a steadfast partner in South Korea's industrial development, including the construction of the Hanul Nuclear Power Plant and the introduction of KTX high-speed trains. He expressed hope that the two countries would lead in future strategic industries based on their recently elevated "global strategic partnership."
Kim also expressed optimism about the cultural and linguistic ties between the youth of both nations, citing a threefold increase in the number of candidates for the Korean language proficiency test in France over the past decade, marking the highest level in Europe. He stated, "Through exchanges among youth and citizens, the future of our relationship is deepening further."
Emphasizing the global solidarity inspired by the French Revolution, Kim remarked, "The spirit of liberty, equality, and fraternity is not just a French value but a universal promise to uphold democracy and human dignity." He expressed hope that South Korea and France would continue to advance as strong partners.
Various events celebrating the 140th anniversary of Korea-France diplomatic relations are taking place across the country this year. Since the opening concert in Bucheon in March, over 140 events spanning culture and the arts have been organized. The two countries aim to strengthen cooperation in key future industries such as artificial intelligence, space, and quantum technology, while also enhancing exchanges among the youth, breathing life into the meaning of their 140-year strong alliance.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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