European business chambers held a joint European business forum Seoul with South Korean Prime Minister Han Seong-sook this week, pressing for easier investment conditions and fewer regulatory barriers for foreign firms operating in the country. The event, organised by the Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KGCCI) and the French-Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI), brought together around 200 executives from German, French and other European companies, alongside government, diplomatic and economic representatives.
According to The Korea Times, the forum took place at the Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul. Among those attending were German Ambassador to Korea Georg Schmidt, EU Ambassador Ugo Astuto, and the Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of France, Philomène Robin Pierron, according to The Korea Herald. The diplomatic turnout underlined the degree to which governments on both sides are watching trade and investment flows between Europe and South Korea.
Prime Minister Han pledges support for European investors
Prime Minister Han addressed attendees directly, framing the relationship in broad terms. ‘Germany, France and other EU countries have long been steadfast partners of Korea, supporting one another’s economic and industrial development on the basis of mutual trust,’ she said. She added that Korea, Germany and France ‘are trusted partners that support free trade and a rules-based international order and share the values of openness and innovation,’ and stated that the government ‘will do its utmost to ensure that the investments and ambitions of German and French companies lead to even greater success in Korea.’
The FKCCI said the forum was intended to create more direct discussions between Korean authorities and European industry, rather than allowing concerns to filter upward through intermediaries. That direct-access model, where executives and officials share a room rather than exchanging position papers, has become a preferred format for chambers seeking faster responses on regulatory questions.
European business forum Seoul marks twin anniversaries
FKCCI chairman David-Pierre Jalicon used the occasion to note that the forum coincided with two milestones: the 140th anniversary of France-Korea diplomatic relations and the FKCCI’s own 40th anniversary. He announced that the chamber will hold a France-Korea symposium at the French National Assembly in Paris on 16 October, focused on cooperation in innovation and technology.
Jalicon also outlined plans for a Maison France facility, which would offer office space, an expanded business centre, and several other facilities for French firms operating in Korea. The detail on that project remained at the planning stage, with no completion date or cost stated at the forum.
KGCCI chairperson Hyun-Nam Park told the gathering that German firms were ‘ready to play their part in Korea’s next chapter of growth.’ Park also noted that the German chancellor is due to visit Seoul next month for the 19th Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business (APK), a gathering organised by the KGCCI network. That visit will keep bilateral economic ties near the top of the agenda in Seoul for the weeks ahead.
Korea’s broader investment push
The forum came shortly after South Korea selected a gas-fired power station in Encinal, Texas, as the first project under its wider $350bn US investment pledge, with that project valued at $22.3bn. The selection illustrated how actively Seoul is seeking to deploy capital abroad while simultaneously courting inbound investment from European partners.
The contrast points to South Korea’s twin-track approach: committing large sums overseas as a statement of strategic intent, while working through bilateral chambers and direct ministerial meetings to encourage reciprocal flows from Europe into Korean industry. The European business forum in Seoul, with its mix of executives, ambassadors and a sitting prime minister, is part of that same effort to keep the channels open on both sides.
The FKCCI’s planned Paris symposium in October will give both governments a further opportunity to advance the investment agenda away from Seoul, with the French National Assembly as the backdrop.
