The **Franco-Korean summit** in 2026 marked a significant step in the development of their strategic partnership, with concrete agreements and high-level dialogues initiated in Paris on September 8. This meeting took place just five months after the two countries elevated their relationship to the level of "global strategic partnership" during a ceremony in Seoul on April 3. During the joint press statement, President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the need for France and South Korea to act together in areas such as defense, security, technology, and energy, while preserving each country's "sovereignty" and "strategic autonomy." Strategic autonomy, as defined by Macron, does not imply rejecting alliances or neutrality between the United States and China. Instead, it refers to the ability of a nation to make independent judgments and act in areas related to essential national interests, such as supply chains, technology, and security. Macron described the joint approach as a "coalition of independents" and considered the Franco-Korean relationship an exemplary illustration of this concept. The September summit largely met the requirement to establish operational mechanisms that are sustainable. These included the creation of diplomatic and defense coordination bodies, a defense cooperation roadmap, industrial implementation of nuclear cooperation, and cooperation in the field of attack nuclear submarines (SNA). These steps aim to strengthen the practical aspects of their partnership and ensure long-term collaboration between the two nations. Despite these achievements, the summit also highlighted the institutional gaps that remain to be filled. While the two countries have made significant progress in formalizing their partnership, challenges remain in fully implementing the agreements and ensuring that all aspects of the cooperation are effectively managed. The summit underscored the need for continued dialogue and collaboration to address these gaps and further solidify their strategic relationship.