South Korean President Lee Jae Myung heads to Italy after Brussels talks with EU, Belgium
Synopsis
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's European tour is shaping up as more than a diplomatic courtesy round — Brussels delivered a joint condemnation of North Korea-Russia military cooperation, a new information security pact with the EU, and investment agreements with Belgium. With the Vatican and G7 still ahead, Seoul is using this trip to cement its standing as a key Western-aligned partner.
Key Takeaways
President Lee Jae Myung departed Belgium for Italy on Wednesday , the second stop of his 10-day European tour .
Lee and Belgian PM Bart De Wever agreed to expand bilateral investment in batteries, materials, and energy .
Lee and EU leaders jointly condemned 'illegal military cooperation' between North Korea and Russia , urging compliance with UN Security Council resolutions.
South Korea and the EU signed an agreement to begin negotiations on a bilateral information security pact .
Lee is scheduled to meet Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican before attending the G7 summit in France alongside US President Donald Trump .
The Belgium visit marked the 125th anniversary of South Korea–Belgium diplomatic relations.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung departed Belgium for Italy on Wednesday, continuing the second leg of his 10-day European tour that began on Tuesday. In Italy, he is scheduled to meet with Italian President Sergio Mattarella on Thursday and hold separate talks with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni the following day.
Brussels Talks: Key Outcomes
Before departing, Lee held a bilateral summit with Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever, during which both leaders agreed to jointly expand investment in advanced sectors including batteries, materials, and energy. The two sides also committed to improving market access for their respective businesses, with the goal of positioning each country as a strategic base for the other's overseas expansion.
Lee's visit to Belgium coincided with the 125th anniversary of diplomatic relations between South Korea and Belgium — lending added significance to what might otherwise have been a routine bilateral stop.
Summit with EU Leaders
Lee also held a summit with the top leadership of the European Union — Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and Antonio Luis Santos da Costa, President of the European Council. The leaders jointly condemned what they described as 'illegal military cooperation' between North Korea and Russia, asserting that such cooperation has enabled Russia to sustain its aggression against Ukraine. They urged both Pyongyang and Moscow to cease all related activities and comply with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.
On the security front, the two sides signed an agreement to launch negotiations for a bilateral information security pact, marking a step toward deeper defence and intelligence cooperation between South Korea and the EU.
What Comes Next: Vatican and G7
Following his Italy leg, President Lee is scheduled to travel to the Vatican for a two-day visit from Sunday, where he will meet with Pope Leo XIV. He will then proceed to France for the Group of Seven (G7) summit, which will be attended by global leaders including US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
The European tour reflects Seoul's broader effort to deepen strategic and economic ties with Western partners amid ongoing geopolitical pressures stemming from the Russia-Ukraine war and North Korea's military posture.
Point of View
Not merely a trade counterpart. The joint condemnation of North Korea-Russia military cooperation is notable — it aligns Seoul publicly with the EU's Ukraine posture, which carries diplomatic costs with Moscow. The information security pact negotiations are the less-noticed but potentially more consequential outcome, as they could open channels for intelligence-sharing that Seoul has historically kept bilateral with Washington. Whether the investment pledges on batteries and materials translate into actual capital flows will be the harder metric to watch.
NationPress
8 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is South Korean President Lee Jae Myung travelling in Europe?
President Lee Jae Myung is on a 10-day European tour that began on Tuesday. After Belgium, he is visiting Italy, then the Vatican, and finally France for the G7 summit.
What did South Korea and the EU agree on regarding North Korea and Russia?
South Korea and EU leaders jointly condemned what they called 'illegal military cooperation' between North Korea and Russia, which they said has enabled Russia to continue its war against Ukraine. They urged both Pyongyang and Moscow to halt related activities and comply with UN Security Council resolutions.
What agreements were signed during Lee's visit to Brussels?
South Korea and the EU signed an agreement to begin negotiations on a bilateral information security pact aimed at boosting defence and security cooperation. Separately, Lee and Belgian PM De Wever agreed to expand investment in advanced sectors including batteries, materials, and energy.
Who will Lee Jae Myung meet in Italy?
President Lee is scheduled to hold a summit with Italian President Sergio Mattarella on Thursday and separate talks with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Friday.
Why is the Belgium leg of the visit historically significant?
Lee's visit to Belgium coincides with the 125th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between South Korea and Belgium, making it a milestone bilateral engagement.
