PARIS, France – The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in France officially unveiled the commemorative logo and slogan for the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between South Korea and France during its National Day reception on October 2 (local time). The milestone anniversary will be celebrated throughout 2026, marking a significant moment in the enduring friendship that began with the signing of the Treaty of Amity, Commerce and Navigation in 1886.
The unveiling was a joint effort, with the Korean Embassy working in collaboration with the French Embassy in Korea to select the design elements that will represent the anniversary year.
Symbolism of the Logo and Slogan
The newly released logo artfully depicts the number 140 using a continuous "one-stroke" drawing technique ('han-but-geu-ri-gi' in Korean). The design is intended to symbolize the unwavering friendship of the past 140 years, the robust bilateral cooperation, and the strong bond of solidarity that will continue to connect the two nations into the future.
The official slogan for the anniversary year is 'Creativity, Opportunity, Solidarity' ('Chang-ui, Gi-hoe, Yeon-dae').
Creativity signifies innovation and imagination.
Opportunity represents growth potential.
Solidarity embodies a shared spirit aimed at contributing to universal human values like peace and prosperity.
The embassy stated that the slogan was crafted to be concise and intuitive, mirroring France's core republican values of Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity, ensuring it is easily relatable and memorable to the public in both countries.
Looking Ahead: A Shared Future
During the National Day ceremony, Kim Byung-jun, the Deputy Chief of Mission (Chargé d'affaires ad interim) for the Korean Embassy, delivered a congratulatory speech emphasizing the depth of the bilateral friendship forged since the 1886 treaty. He expressed hope that "in the next 140 years, South Korea and France will continue to write the most beautiful pages in history."
Deputy Chief Kim also underscored the crucial role of Franco-Korean cooperation in the face of contemporary global challenges, stating the two nations have a "mission to join forces for a future based on prosperity, multilateralism, and solidarity."
Reflecting the shared commitment to strengthening ties, French Senator Loïc Hervé praised South Korea's resilience in achieving democratization after the Korean War. He called for intensified bilateral cooperation in emerging industries such as space, batteries, and environmentally friendly technologies.
This anniversary year is expected to feature a diverse array of cultural, economic, and political events, building on an existing robust cultural exchange framework. Earlier this year, in May, the two nations signed a Letter of Intention on Cultural Cooperation, ensuring a rich calendar of events throughout the commemorative year, including Korea's participation as the Guest of Honor at the Paris Book Fair and a "Korea Focus" program at the Avignon Festival. These initiatives highlight a shared vision to expand cooperation from traditional arts and culture to new domains like digital content and industry, reinforcing a partnership that has become increasingly vital on the global stage.
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