President Moon Jae - in talks to French President Emmanuel Macron on Jan . 18 . ( Cheong Wa Dae ) By Min Yea - Ji and Sohn JiAe President Moon Jae - in held a telephone conversation with his French counterpart , Emmanuel Macron , on Jan . 18 to talk about ways to develop bilateral cooperation between the two countries . The leaders discussed cooperative measures to make this year ' s PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games as successful as possible , and also how to deal with inter - Korean issues , including the latest dialogue between North and South Korea . “ We will work closely with the international community to host the upcoming Games under safe and peaceful circumstances , ” said President Moon . “ The participation of North Korean athletes , as well as the recent talks with Pyongyang , will hopefully improve the inter - Korean relationship and ease tensions across the Korean Peninsula , which we hope will lead to further dialogue to solve North Korean nuclear weapons problems , as well . ” In response , President Macron reaffirmed his stance toward fully supporting the Korean government ’ s policies on the peninsula , saying that , “ Our country will continue to play a necessary role in preventing further threats from the North and halting growing tension on the peninsula , as well as in the international process to resolve the nuclear weapons issue . ” “ The French government welcomes the North ’ s participation in the PyeongChang Olympic Games and hopes that this sporting event will truly be Peace Olympics , for the peninsula and for the world as a whole , ” he added . President Moon concluded the conversation by saying that France , as the first Winter Olympic host country and as the first country to have hosted both the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games , a first in Olympic history , will have great results in PyeongChang , while amicably inviting the French leader to the PyeongChang Games . jesimin @ korea . krCopyright ? 1999 - 2013 KOCIS . All rights reserved .