France recognized the 30-year career of Col. Eric Jouin, defense attache at the French Embassy in Korea, by presenting him with the Legion of Honor medal at a reception at the residence of French Ambassador-Designate to Korea Jerome Pasquier, Tuesday.

Jouin was awarded the insignia of “Chevalier” in the Order of the Legion of Honor by Brigadier General Franck Reignier, French Defense Ministry’s international relations regional director for East Asia, during the reception.

Reignier is in Korea to attend an annual meeting between the French and Korean military staffs.

The Order is the highest decoration in France and is divided into five degrees: Chevalier (Knight), Officier, Commandeur, Grand Officier and Grand Croix (Grand Cross).

First established in 1886, Korean-French diplomatic relations are 126 years old, although those ties were interrupted by Japanese colonization and the Korean War, for which France sent about 3,000 soldiers. Some 270 of them were killed during the fighting.

By Philip Iglauer (ephilip2011@heraldcorp.com)