Korea, France business leaders explore AI, quantum cooperation

South Korea and France plan to deepen cooperation in cutting-edge industries such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing and future mobility. Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong and other senior South Korean business leaders joined the heads of French firms including Mistral AI, L'Oreal and Air Liquide to explore joint business opportunities in future strategic industries.

The Korea Enterprises Federation announced Wednesday that it held a Korea-France Business Roundtable with the French employers' federation MEDEF at Hotel de Marigny in Paris on Tuesday (local time). The event, organized to coincide with President Lee Jae Myung's state visit to France, drew about 33 attendees, including senior government officials and business executives from both countries.

On the Korean side were Korea Enterprises Federation Chairman Ryu Jin, Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong, LS Chairman Gu Ja-eun and Hyosung Chairman Cho Hyun-joon. Also attending were LG Electronics President Ryu Jae-cheol, Hyundai Motor President Sung Kim and Naver CEO Choi Su-yeon. France was represented by Air Liquide CEO and co-chair of the Korea-France Economic Cooperation Committee Francois Jacob, BNP Paribas Chairman Jean Lemierre and L'Oreal CEO Nicolas Hieronimus. Executives from deep tech firms including Mistral AI, AMI Labs and Quandela also attended.

The two sides discussed cooperation that day across four areas. These included advanced technologies such as AI and quantum computing; energy and sustainable chemistry; decarbonized mobility, infrastructure and finance; and health and beauty. At the summit, the two countries' leaders reaffirmed a goal of expanding bilateral trade, which stood at about $15 billion in 2025, to $20 billion by 2030.

In AI, the two sides discussed expanding technology and personnel exchanges by leveraging local research and development hubs such as Naver's research center in Grenoble, France. Naver and Mistral AI shared examples of their partnership to tap the sovereign AI market and said they plan to broaden cooperation into the AI factory sector.

In quantum computing, participants proposed combining core technology held by French quantum hardware company Quandela with South Korean firms' capabilities in semiconductors, AI infrastructure and advanced manufacturing. Qunova Computing suggested the two countries build a joint global test bed for the industrialization of quantum technology. It also proposed jointly securing an early lead in the quantum computing supply chain and application industry ecosystem.

In the power and energy sector, the two sides discussed South Korean companies' participation in France's power grid modernization project. LS highlighted its production capabilities spanning power materials to cables, while Hyosung proposed cooperation centered on ultra-high-voltage power equipment, high-voltage direct current transmission and core components for small modular reactors.

The two sides also discussed laying the groundwork for building a hydrogen ecosystem, supply chain cooperation and training talent for future mobility. Hyundai Motor said it plans to make France the first European country for its Future Mobility School. LG Electronics shared examples of its expanding cooperation with French carmaker Renault on high-performance batteries, in-vehicle solutions and vehicle software.

The two sides also discussed the possibility of expanding cooperation in health and beauty. Cosmax proposed strategic cooperation combining the technological strength of K-beauty — which has risen to become the world's second-largest cosmetics exporter — with France's brand expertise. Celltrion introduced its acquisition of French health care company Gifrer and shared plans for how South Korean biosimilar drugs could contribute to France's health care market.

Concrete cooperation results between companies also emerged around the state visit. Samsung Electronics and Mistral AI signed an investment agreement, and Cosmax and L'Oreal signed an MOU. Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power and French nuclear company Orano also signed a letter of intent for cooperation.

Korea Enterprises Federation Chairman Ryu Jin said, "South Korea and France are nations that have led the changes of the times through creativity and innovation." He added, "We will combine the capabilities of both countries to expand the horizon of economic cooperation into partnerships in advanced and innovative fields."