Philippe Lefort, Ambassador of France to the Republic of Korea, visited the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP) to meet with KIEP President Heungchong Kim, Dr. Dong Hee Joe, Head of the Europe Team, and discussed a variety of global issues, including forecasts on the world economy, French economy and energy security.

President Heungchong Kim presented KIEP’s outlook for the global economy in 2021 and stated that the U.S. and major European countries are expected to recover quickly this year, and by 2022 return to their original growth trajectory.

President Kim added that the key economic issue after COVID-19 will be an exit strategy to absorb excess liquidity injected into the market to revive the economy.

Ambassador Philippe Lefort explained how France is actively seeking to digitize and promote eco-friendliness in its economy in the wake of COVID-19, and that 50% of the people will be vaccinated by June, which will enable the formation of mass immunity within the year.

Meanwhile, France has formed alliances with Germany and the Netherlands to promote semiconductor production in the region, Ambassador Lefort added.

In addition, President Kim and Ambassador Lefort discussed ways to provide stable energy supply and demand in European countries. As this matter is related to national security, they agreed that it is necessary to seek breakthroughs and prepare careful responses.

- Title: French Ambassador to Korea Pays Visit to KIEP

- Date & Time: May 14th, 2021, 14:00-15:00

- Venue: Korea Institute for International Economic Policy

- Contact: Hyung Jun Yoon, Researcher, Europe Team (hjyoon@kiep.go.kr)