South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Italian President Sergio Mattarella agreed on Thursday, 11 June to elevate bilateral relations into a special strategic partnership, marking a significant upgrade in ties between Seoul and Rome that have spanned 142 years. The agreement was reached during summit talks at the Quirinal Palace in Rome, the second leg of Lee's first European tour since assuming office.

Key Developments from the Summit

'Today, the president and I agreed to upgrade bilateral relations to a special strategic partnership, reflecting our determination to further develop bilateral ties,' President Lee said in a joint press announcement at the palace following the talks.

The two leaders identified semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), defence manufacturing, aerospace, energy, and biotechnology as priority sectors for deepened cooperation. A South Korea-Italy business roundtable, involving around 30 companies from both nations, was scheduled for Friday, 12 June in Rome to explore concrete growth opportunities.

Partnership Roadmap Through 2030

President Mattarella confirmed that the two countries plan to implement joint action plans through 2030 under the newly established framework. Both sides also agreed to sign memorandums of understanding (MOUs) on cooperation for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the social solidarity economy, which Lee described as the foundation for closer long-term collaboration.

Mattarella noted that the two countries have already begun new industrial cooperation in advanced technology, and stressed they are deepening engagement across trade, defence, science, technology, and cultural exchanges.

Supply Chain and Energy Security

The two presidents also addressed global economic vulnerabilities, agreeing on the need for like-minded countries to align closely amid supply chain disruptions stemming from the Middle East conflict and other geopolitical pressures. 'Both sides plan to jointly promote energy security and supply chain stability, while closely communicating and cooperating on the issues,' Lee said.

This comes amid a broader global scramble to secure critical technology supply chains, with both South Korea and Italy seeking to reduce dependence on single-source suppliers for semiconductors and energy inputs.

Korean Peninsula Peace and Multilateral Cooperation

Lee briefed Mattarella on his administration's policy of pursuing peaceful coexistence and shared growth with North Korea. According to Lee, Mattarella highly appreciated Seoul's efforts to resume dialogue with the North and pledged to work with South Korea to help ensure peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. 'Regarding the Korean Peninsula, I hope the peninsula will gain stability,' Mattarella said.

The leaders further agreed to broaden cooperation on the international stage — including at the United Nations — grounded in their shared commitment to international law and multilateral frameworks.

Historical Context

South Korea and Italy established diplomatic ties in 1884, making this year's partnership upgrade the most substantive shift in bilateral relations in the modern era. Lee invoked that history directly: 'Just like the trust built over 142 years, the landscape for cooperation is expanding,' vowing to 'open a new chapter in cooperation toward shared prosperity.'

With joint action plans locked in through 2030 and a business roundtable set to follow immediately, the two countries appear intent on translating summit-level ambition into sector-specific outcomes in the months ahead.