Brigitte Macron illuminated the steps of the Élysée on September 8, 2026 by welcoming the South Korean president Lee Jae Myung and his wife Kim Hea for a state dinner. Her red dress, draped at the shoulders and accompanied by a long cape, captured the attention of photographers and the public.
In brief: official welcome in Paris between France and South Korea, joint cultural visits (Lumière Summit and exhibition “Hanjimania”), announcement of a trade goal of 20 billion dollars by 2030, and the bestowal of the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor to the Korean president.
An official welcome marked by elegance and diplomacy
On the steps, the scene was both solemn and warm: Brigitte Macron in a red dress greeted Lee Jae Myung and Kim Hea Kyung, emphasizing the presence of both presidential couples during the state dinner on September 8. The outfit, evoking a red carpet style, highlighted the ceremonial nature of this diplomatic event and France’s desire to display meticulous hospitality. A moment of grace that made headlines.
Between cultural visits and strategic issues
Before the dinner, the couples shared cultural moments: Kim Hea and Brigitte Macron visited an exhibition on hanji at the Hôtel de la Marine, and the presidents met at the Lumière Summit in Saint-Paul-de-Vence. Politically, Paris and Seoul reaffirm their cooperation in defense and artificial intelligence, with the goal of raising economic exchanges to 20 billion dollars by 2030, up from approximately 16 billion in 2024.
The symbol of a Franco-Korean meeting
The awarding of the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor to Lee Jae Myung punctuated the dinner, symbolizing a strengthened bilateral relationship. The exchange was described as friendly by the South Korean president, mentioning a friendship born of travels and regular exchanges. In terms of media coverage, the silhouette of the French First Lady in her elegant outfit served as a unifying image, illustrating the soft diplomacy that accompanies more concrete security and economic issues.
Want to know more about the behind-the-scenes of this diplomatic event, the ties between the presidencies, and the highlights of these meetings? Discover a complete dossier on the welcome of Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron and the grand evenings at the Élysée on the detailed account of the welcome and dive into the ambiance of the state dinner via the dedicated report. To review the official press releases of the state visit, check the embassy’s page dedicated to the visit and discover images of the arrival on Paris Match.
