1. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced that the fifth joint meeting of the preparatory committees of the Republic of Korea and France for the “Years 2015-2016 of ROK-France Bilateral Exchanges” event had taken place in France from May 11 till 13. The event is held to celebrate the 130th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic relations, which falls on June 4, 2016.

2. In the meeting, the ROK’s preparatory committee proposed that the week of June 1 through 7 be designated as the “K-culture Week” of the “Year of Korea” in France to commemorate President Park Geun-hye’s state visit to France during that time for the 130th anniversary of the ROK-France diplomatic ties. And the French side accepted the proposal.

3. The “Years 2015-2016 of ROK-France Bilateral Exchanges” consists of the “Year of Korea” in France (September 2015 – August 2016) and the “Year of France” in Korea (January 2016 – December 2016). This largest-ever event of its kind features a large number of programs in a broad range of sectors over a long period of time. As such, it is expected to serve as a historic opportunity to publicize the two countries’ values in each other’s countries and to enhance mutual understanding between their peoples.

4. The preparatory committees of the two countries, basically sharing the view on the need to hold a closing ceremony of the event, to write a report on its outcome and to hold another joint meeting, agreed to consult with each other on relevant details.


* unofficial translation