Lee says South Korea ready to elevate ties with Italy to 'special strategic partnership'

Interview with Italian daily Corriere della Sera

Lee says two countries will 'write new history together in the AI era'

'Strategic Action Plan 2026-2030' to be adopted during state visit

Lee says Seoul developing 'national interest-based approach' between Washington and Beijing

Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong among attendees at business roundtable

President Lee Jae Myung and first lady Kim Hye-kyung disembark from Air Force One upon arriving at Rome's Fiumicino International Airport on Wednesday (local time) for a state visit to Italy. [Yonhap]

President Lee Jae Myung said Thursday that South Korea and Italy are preparing to elevate their relationship to a "special strategic partnership," speaking in Rome on the second leg of his European tour.

In an interview with Italian daily Corriere della Sera published Thursday, Lee said he hoped the state visit would "take the bilateral strategic partnership to the next level and lay the groundwork for shared prosperity for future generations."

By upgrading ties with Italy — a core member of both the G7 and the EU — Seoul aims to signal its commitment to deepening relations with Europe across the continent.

Asked which areas offered the greatest opportunities for strategic cooperation, Lee said he was confident the two countries could build on their shared industrial history. "Just as South Korea and Italy wrote a story of success together in manufacturing in the 20th century, I am convinced we can write a new history of industrial innovation together in the AI era of the 21st century," he said.

Lee also outlined how Italy could contribute to the development of Korea-Europe relations, noting that the two countries had agreed to cooperate on global challenges including climate change, energy security and development cooperation.

"Based on the values shared by South Korea, Italy and Europe, we are cooperating as responsible members of the international community," Lee said. He added that the two sides would sign a memorandum of understanding on development cooperation in Africa during the visit, reflecting a shared recognition of the continent's development needs.

On cooperation in future industries — AI, quantum technology, space and energy transition — Lee said the two countries plan to adopt the "Strategic Action Plan 2026-2030" during the visit.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni first proposed the action plan when she visited South Korea in January.

Lee also stressed a pragmatic, national interest-centered approach to foreign policy. He said South Korea's diplomatic posture had long been summed up by the formula of "security with the United States, economy with China," but added that he no longer considered that binary framework valid.

"Rather than simply trying to balance between Washington and Beijing, South Korea wants to develop a new approach grounded in national interest — one that takes a comprehensive view of the dynamics of competition and cooperation as well as emerging challenges," he said.

Lee, who is in Europe to attend the G7 summit, met with Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever in Brussels on Wednesday and pledged to expand bilateral research cooperation in areas including semiconductors.

He also held talks with European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, adopting a joint statement from the Korea-EU summit that strongly condemned Russia for its invasion of Ukraine and North Korea for supporting it.

Two Italian Air Force Eurofighter jets escort Air Force One carrying President Lee Jae Myung and first lady Kim Hye-kyung as it enters Italian airspace on Wednesday (local time) for a state visit to Italy. [Yonhap]

Lee is scheduled to hold summit talks with Italian President Sergio Mattarella on Friday and meet Prime Minister Meloni for a third official meeting on Saturday. Italy extended a notable show of protocol when Air Force One entered Italian airspace, scrambling two Eurofighter jets to fly alongside the presidential aircraft.

A business roundtable set for Friday is also drawing attention. Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong and Hyosung Chairman Cho Hyun-joon are among those expected to attend, with discussions to focus on strengthening industrial cooperation between the two countries.

The event is intended to create a platform for corporate exchange aimed at generating business opportunities in semiconductors, aerospace, energy and biotech.

sang@heraldcorp.com