Seodaemun-gu Discusses Exchange and Cooperation with the French Embassy

Seongheon Lee, Mayor of Seodaemun District (fourth from the left), and Philippe Bertoux, French Ambassador to Korea (fifth from the right), are taking a commemorative photo with officials from the district office and the embassy after a working-level meeting for exchange and cooperation between the two organizations. (Photo by Seodaemun District Office)

Seodaemun-gu, Seoul (Mayor Lee Seong-heon) announced on the 29th that it recently held a working-level meeting with the Embassy of France in Korea at the district office meeting room to discuss ways to strengthen exchange and cooperation between the two organizations.

The meeting was attended by 15 people, including Lee Seong-heon, Mayor of Seodaemun-gu, Philippe Bertoux, Ambassador of France to Korea, and Bertrand Jado, Senior Counselor.

Ambassador Philippe Bertoux said, "Expanding relations through cooperation with local governments is the core of diplomacy," adding, "Strengthening exchanges with Seodaemun-gu is so important that it can be considered the first step in bilateral diplomacy."

Mayor Lee Seong-heon responded, "I am very proud that the French Embassy, a work of architect Kim Joong-up and of great significance in architectural history, is located in Seodaemun-gu," and added, "I am very grateful that the Ambassador personally visited the district office for exchange and cooperation."

At the working-level meeting, regarding Seodaemun-gu's request to allow an internal tour of the embassy during the first course of the 'Seodaemun Historical and Cultural Interpretation Program,' the French Ambassador said, "We would be very pleased if many people visit the embassy building," and added, "We will look for appropriate ways to open it to citizens through cooperation with Seodaemun-gu."

Regarding the French Embassy's request concerning security and safety around the embassy, the Mayor of Seodaemun-gu said, "We will actively work in cooperation with various related organizations," and added, "While ensuring thorough security, we would like to explore ways to make the area around the embassy a tourist attraction through festivals and markets."

Going forward, the two organizations plan to continue cooperation in various fields, including ▲ hosting various events such as the French Street Music Festival ▲ developing community service programs ▲ improving road and traffic facilities to enhance the safety of embassy visitors and tourists in the Chungjeongno area.