South Korea and Italy agreed to deepen cooperation across trade, technology, science and international security, unveiling plans for a new bilateral action plan and expanded collaboration in strategic sectors including artificial intelligence, semiconductors and aerospace.
According to a joint press statement released after talks in Seoul, Republic of Korea President Lee Jae Myung and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and coordinating more closely in multilateral forums such as the G20. The leaders also agreed to convene the next session of their Strategic Dialogue as soon as possible and to prepare a new 2026–2030 bilateral Action Plan to guide future cooperation.
Economic cooperation featured prominently in the discussions, with both sides highlighting advanced manufacturing and cutting-edge technologies as priorities. The leaders welcomed the outcomes of the ROK-Italy Business Forum held in Seoul in September 2025, which focused on artificial intelligence, industrial automation, energy transition, infrastructure, transportation and the bio-industry. They agreed to expand trade and investment both bilaterally and in third markets by leveraging complementarities between the two economies.
The statement also emphasized plans to strengthen industrial cooperation in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, aerospace and critical raw materials. The two governments expressed support for expanding private-sector partnerships and advancing resilient supply chains, including through multilateral initiatives such as the Minerals Security Partnership, currently chaired by South Korea.
Beyond economic ties, the leaders committed to expanding joint research projects, academic exchanges and cooperation between scientific institutions. They also highlighted progress in cultural and people-to-people exchanges, building on the momentum of the 2024–2025 ROK-Italy Year of Cultural Exchange. On international security, both sides reaffirmed their support for peace and denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula and pledged closer coordination in global forums.
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