France and Korea established their first official relations in 1886 after a Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation was signed between the two countries. Inded, before that, relations between the two had always been mostly done through the work of Christian missionaries that were sent to the Korean Peninsula. The first French missionary to Korea, Father Philippe Maubant, had arrived in 1836.[1] After that date, missionaries would continue to come to Korea from China, often at great risks. In 1866, as a reprisal for the execution of 9 missionaries, the French navy would take action and launch raids, as seen in the Kanghwa case.
In 1887 , France sent its first official representative, Victor Collin de Plancy along with his translator, Maurice Courant. He would later be known as the "father" of Korean studies in France. In France, the first records of a Korean living there permanently, Hong Jong-u, arrived there not too long after relations were established. Arived in Marseille in 1890, he will spend a few years working in France in a museum where he would be very helpful in establishing the Korean art and culture section.[2] Yet, it would not be until the 1900 Paris World's Fair/Exposition Universelle that Korea would be "introduced" to the French public.[3]
Unfortunately, Japan's invasion of Korea would lead to a break in Franco-Korean relations. For more than 40 years, from 1906 to 1949, France would not have a diplomatic representation in Korea. This was due, of course, to WWII and the few years that followed the end of the hostilities. Yet, despite the fact that the embassy was closed, this did not mean that relations ended altogether. In 1919, a delegation of the Korean government in exile was opened in Paris in 1919, which would be the liasion between the two entities during those difficult years. [4] In 1949, the embassy is officially re-opened and a new ambassador takes office in Seoul. Unfortunately for him, he is taken prisonner and would spend 3 years, from 1950 to 1953, in North Korea until he was released and granted a diplomatic post in a different country.
It would the Korean War, sadly, that would strengthen relations between the two countries. Before that time, relations had always been more or less limited to a few individuals at the governmental level. The war would introduce Koreato the French public as a whole, as the war raged on. From 1950 to 1953, 3,200 French soldiers assisted South Korea by taking part in the Korean War; 270 were killed.[5]
Out of the Korean War came something positive nonetheless: an increase in cultural and economic links between the two countries. Indeed, while the history of South Korea would be quite charged for the following decades, the two countries still maintained normal diplomatic relations. In 2002, it would be the first time that the number of French citizens present in South Korea surpassed the number seen during the Korean War. In 2002, 6,000 to 7,000 French citizens claimed residency in South Korea. [6] In 2006, France and the Republic of Korea celebrated the 120th anniversary of the first treaty signed between the two countries.
France and the Republic of Korea still maintain very good relations. They collaborate on many topics and issues that are facing the world today. This was seen especially on the question of North Korea, which is of course a matter of great importance for both countries.
Economic relations between the two nations are strong. French exports to South Korea were worth €2.6 billion in 2006[8], and France was the fourth largest investor in the Republic of Korea.[9] South Korean exports to France during the same period were worth €4.1 billion.[10]
Cultural relations are enhanced by the presence of a French Cultural Centre in Korea[11], along with that of the Alliance française[12].
There are approximately 7,000 South Koreans living in France, and 6,000 French people living in South Korea.[13]
The French government describes its relations with South Korea as "excellent".[14]
