Jacques Attali, one of the world’s greatest scholars, will speak at the Korea-France Leaders Forum on March 24 at The Shilla Seoul hotel.

The forum, which will serve as the opening of a year-long celebration in Korea of the 130th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, aims to discuss ways to strengthen the partnership between the two countries in various fields, including diplomacy, economy, culture and technology.

Attali, a French economist who served as the first president of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, will deliver a speech on the lessons derived from the relationship between the two countries and ways to continue the ties into the future.

“I wish the Korea-France Leaders Forum will provide both countries with the opportunity to set the specific goals for further relationship and begin to move on,” said Attali in a press statement released by Corea Image Communication Institute, one of the organizers of the event.

About 150 opinion leaders from Korea and France, including former president of The Louvre museum and president of the Korea-France Year Committee Henri Loyrette, Joong Ang Media Network chairman Hong Seok-hyun, Seoul National University president Sung Nak-in and Arianespace CEO Stephane Israel, are expected to attend the Korea-France Leaders Forum. It is jointly organized by the Korea-France Club in both countries, CICI and the French Embassy in Korea.

By Jung Eun-jin (jej2403@heraldcorp.com)