\n Technology
\n \u00b7
\n 6 min read\n <\/p>\n
\n Naver CEO Choi Soo-yeon and French President Emmanuel Macron discuss expanding AI and cloud technology collaboration during Macron\u2019s state visit to South Korea. <\/p>\n
On April 3, 2026, the bustling city of Seoul played host to a meeting that could shape the future of artificial intelligence and cloud technology across continents. Naver CEO Choi Soo-yeon sat down with French President Emmanuel Macron, who was visiting South Korea to mark the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The encounter, held at the request of the French government, brought together some of the brightest minds and top executives from both nations, all with one goal in mind: forging deeper ties in the rapidly evolving world of AI and cloud computing.<\/p>\n
Choi Soo-yeon, leading one of Korea\u2019s most prominent IT companies, took the opportunity to showcase Naver\u2019s technological prowess. According to Yonhap News Agency, she highlighted the company\u2019s competitive edge in both artificial intelligence and cloud infrastructure. But it wasn\u2019t just about boasting technical capabilities\u2014Choi emphasized the potential for meaningful collaboration between Korean and French enterprises, suggesting that the strengths of each country could complement and accelerate progress in these fields.<\/p>\n
One of the key talking points was Naver\u2019s European foothold, specifically the operation of Naver Labs Europe, an AI research institute based in Grenoble, France. As reported by Yonhap Infomax, Choi shared insights from running this world-class facility, which has become a hub for cutting-edge research and innovation. She also discussed Naver\u2019s ongoing investments in the region, including participation in Corelia Capital, a venture fund established by Fleur Pellerin, the former French Digital Economy Minister. This investment underscores Naver\u2019s commitment to expanding its global footprint, with France serving as a strategic gateway.<\/p>\n
Choi didn\u2019t stop there. She detailed Naver\u2019s so-called \u201cfull-stack AI\u201d capabilities\u2014a term that covers everything from the in-house development of large language models (LLMs) to the construction of proprietary data centers, robust cloud infrastructure, and scalable services for millions of users. \u201cWe have the unique ability to connect every stage of AI development and deployment with our own technology,\u201d Choi explained, according to sources present at the meeting. She expressed a clear desire to leverage these strengths in partnerships with French AI companies, stating her intention to \u201ccreate diverse opportunities for collaboration based on our distinctive technological edge.\u201d<\/p>\n
The French side, led by President Macron, responded with enthusiasm. Macron outlined his government\u2019s policies aimed at transforming France into a leading AI powerhouse within Europe. According to Yonhap Infomax, he introduced a series of initiatives designed to foster innovation, attract global talent, and encourage investment in AI and cloud industries. Macron made it clear that France sees technological exchange and business cooperation with Korea as crucial steps toward achieving these ambitions. \u201cWe will support the expansion of Korea-France technological exchange and investment cooperation in AI and cloud industries,\u201d Macron affirmed, signaling a strong commitment to bilateral progress.<\/p>\n
The meeting wasn\u2019t just a t\u00eate-\u00e0-t\u00eate between Choi and Macron. On Naver\u2019s side, several top executives joined the discussion: CFO Kim Hee-chul, Naver Cloud CEO Kim Yoo-won, and Naver Labs CEO Seok Sang-ok. The French delegation included not only President Macron but also presidential diplomatic chief Emmanuel Bon, Asia-America-Oceania advisor Julie Le Saos, and investment and trade policy advisor Victor Bandville. The presence of such high-level officials underscored the importance both countries place on this burgeoning partnership.<\/p>\n
Beyond the boardroom, Macron\u2019s visit to South Korea was packed with high-profile meetings. As reported by multiple outlets, he also sat down individually with Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong and Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun. These sessions were aimed at exploring further avenues for cooperation between France and Korea\u2019s corporate giants, especially in areas where technology and innovation intersect. The French government\u2019s proactive approach\u2014seeking out meetings with key Korean business leaders\u2014reflects a broader strategy to deepen economic and technological ties in Asia.<\/p>\n
For Naver, the timing couldn\u2019t be better. The company has been aggressively expanding its global operations, with a particular focus on Europe. Its investment in Corelia Capital, for example, aligns with France\u2019s ambition to attract foreign capital and expertise in the digital economy. According to Yonhap News Agency, Choi highlighted these efforts during her conversation with Macron, positioning Naver as a bridge between Korean innovation and European opportunity. She pointed to the company\u2019s track record in France, from research initiatives in Grenoble to strategic partnerships with local firms, as evidence of Naver\u2019s commitment to international collaboration.<\/p>\n
What\u2019s at stake here is more than just business deals or research grants. The collaboration between Naver and France could set the tone for how countries with strong tech sectors cooperate in an increasingly competitive global landscape. As AI and cloud technologies become central to everything from healthcare to finance, the ability to pool resources, share knowledge, and innovate together becomes ever more critical. Choi\u2019s vision of \u201cfull-stack AI\u201d isn\u2019t just a technical milestone\u2014it\u2019s a statement about the future of cross-border cooperation in a digital world.<\/p>\n
Macron\u2019s visit, meanwhile, sends a clear message about France\u2019s priorities. By reaching out to Korean tech leaders and signaling openness to joint ventures, the French government is betting that international partnerships will be key to maintaining its edge in AI. The willingness to engage at the highest levels\u2014presidential meetings, top advisors in attendance\u2014reflects a sense of urgency and ambition that\u2019s hard to ignore.<\/p>\n
As the meeting wrapped up, both sides were keen to stress their mutual interests. Choi reiterated her hope to \u201ccreate diverse opportunities for collaboration\u201d with French companies, while Macron pledged continued support for bilateral initiatives. The atmosphere, by all accounts, was one of optimism and shared purpose. The next steps, of course, will be crucial: turning high-level discussions into tangible projects, joint investments, and perhaps even breakthrough innovations that neither country could achieve alone.<\/p>\n
For now, the Seoul summit stands as a testament to what\u2019s possible when vision, expertise, and political will converge. As Naver and France look to the future, their partnership could well become a model for international cooperation in the digital age\u2014one where borders matter less, and shared goals drive the next wave of technological progress.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Technology \u00b7 6 min read Naver CEO Choi Soo-yeon and French President Emmanuel Macron discuss expanding AI and…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":15672,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[623],"tags":[657],"class_list":{"0":"post-15671","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-naver","8":"tag-naver"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/korea\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15671","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/korea\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/korea\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/korea\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/korea\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15671"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/korea\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15671\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/korea\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15672"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/korea\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15671"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/korea\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15671"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/korea\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15671"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}