Mayor Yom Tae-young Meets French Ambassador: "Will Contribute to Enhancing Korea-France Friendship"

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Seo Dong-young] Suwon City has taken steps to enhance friendship with France.

Mayor Yom Tae-young of Suwon City met with Philippe Lefort, French Ambassador to Korea, at Suwon City Hall on the 24th, saying "I want to contribute to strengthening the friendly relationship between Korea and France."

Mayor Yom discussed cooperation measures with Ambassador Philippe Lefort during the conversation.

Mayor Yom said "(After the COVID-19 situation stabilizes) we will always welcome a French delegation visiting Suwon City," and expressed his intention to "seek to promote practical cooperative projects with the French Embassy in Korea to enhance Korea-France friendly cooperation."

Ambassador Philippe Lefort visited Mayor Yom Tae-young in the morning after laying flowers at the French Military Korean War Commemoration Monument in Pajang-dong, Jangan-gu, Suwon. In the afternoon, he toured Hwaseong Fortress in Suwon, then visited the Suwon City Integrated Safety Center and Haewoojae (Suwon Restroom Culture Exhibition Hall).

Mayor Yom Tae-young said "The French Military Korean War Commemoration Monument is a symbol of Korea-France friendship," and "the sacrifice and dedication of war veterans like French military personnel have become the foundation of today's Korean prosperity and democracy."

A total of 3,421 French military personnel participated in the Korean War, of which 262 were killed in action. Suwon City was the location of French military forces. The commemoration monument was erected in 1974 and underwent maintenance twice, in 2001 and 2013.

Mayor Yom Tae-young urged, "Please take great interest so that the friendly cooperative relationship between Suwon City and Tours can serve as a model for inter-municipal exchange between the two nations."

Suwon City and Tours signed a memorandum of understanding for friendly cooperation in July 2019 and have continued non-face-to-face exchanges. They are also positively reviewing sister city ties.

French Ambassador Philippe Lefort said "Suwon City is a very meaningful city in terms of relations between our countries," and "I hope communication will continue in the future." He added, "The relationship between Tours and Suwon City is recognized and of interest to the embassy as well."