KOREAN NET

President Yoon Suk Yeol and first lady Kim Keon Hee on June 19 disembark from the presidential plane Code One at Paris-Orly Airport in the French capital.

President Yoon Suk Yeol and first lady Kim Keon Hee on June 19 arrived in Paris to begin their visits to France and Vietnam spanning six days.

The couple landed at Paris-Orly Airport on the presidential plane Code One.

Visiting Paris to promote Busan's bid to host the 2030 World Expo, President Yoon began his official itinerary with a meeting with ethnic Koreans in France and asked for their support for the port city's campaign.

"Busan hosting the 2030 World Expo will offer an opportunity for world citizens and future generations as a platform for solutions to respond to the complex crises facing humanity," he said in a speech. "We wish for our brethren in France to join forces so that Busan is selected the host city in the November vote in Paris to decide the venue of the World Expo."

"Bidding for the World Expo requires a process of persuading each of the 179 member states of the International Bureau of Expositions (BIE)," he added. "If the bid succeeds, it will open a new horizon in the Republic of Korea's global diplomacy."

President Yoon Suk Yeol and first lady Kim Keon Hee on June 19 clap at a performance during a meeting of ethnic Koreans in Paris.

President Yoon also spoke on bilateral relations with France and the role of ethnic Koreans there.

Stressing how both countries have jointly grown and developed throughout 137 years of ties, he said, "As partners sharing the universal values of freedom, human rights and rule of law, Korea and France will strengthen cooperation in various sectors ranging from cutting-edge technology to global agenda."

On the launch of the Overseas Koreans Agency on June 5, he said, "The government will actively support the setup of an ethnic Korean community under which the community and its motherland grow together, so we hope that our brethren in France play an important role in their motherland's development."

About 100 ethnic Koreans from all walks of life attended the event, including those from multicultural families and adoptees.


Photos = Office of the President

By Xu Aiying
xuaiy@korea.kr