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(LEAD) Lee, Mattarella agree to elevate S. Korea-Italy ties into special strategic partnership

During South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's state visit to Italy, the two countries agreed to elevate bilateral ties to a special strategic partnership, covering cooperation in semiconductors, AI, and other strategic areas. Lee received Italy's highest state decoration, and both sides signed agreements on technology, Africa development, and cultural exchanges.

By Tertius News AI Desk 1 outlet · 9 articles Version 1 Coverage Jun 11–13, 2026 Published Aug 14

Lead

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Italian President Sergio Mattarella agreed on Thursday to elevate bilateral ties to a special strategic partnership, a move that expands cooperation into semiconductors, artificial intelligence and other strategic sectors, Yonhap News reported. The agreement was reached during summit talks at the Quirinal Palace in Rome, as Lee undertakes the first state visit by a South Korean president in 26 years.

Coverage comparison

Yonhap News reported that in recognition of his contributions to bilateral ties, Mattarella conferred on Lee the Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic during a state banquet in Rome. The honor, described by presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung as Italy's "highest expression of respect for Lee in appreciation of his contributions to strengthening friendship between the two countries," was also conferred on King Charles III and the president of the United Arab Emirates last year.

During the summit, the two leaders also announced plans for a South Korea-Italy business roundtable, involving around 30 companies, and the signing of memorandums of understanding on cooperation for small and medium-sized enterprises and social solidarity economy. Lee cited semiconductors, AI, defense manufacturing, aerospace, energy and biotechnology as areas for deeper cooperation. Mattarella said the two countries would implement joint action plans through 2030 under the new partnership, a commitment later formalized with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

On Friday, South Korea and Italy signed four agreements, including memorandums of understanding on technology cooperation, joint development projects in Africa, and small and medium-sized enterprise policy dialogue. The technology MOU covers AI, quantum technology, bioscience, space technology and other strategic sectors, with progress to be monitored through a joint science and technology committee. The Africa-focused MOU targets projects in coffee plantations, agriculture and digital education, naming Uganda, Ethiopia, Egypt and Cote d'Ivoire as prospective host countries.

A separate MOU was signed by the National Museum of Korea and the Uffizi Galleries during Lee's visit to Florence, enhancing cooperation in collection exchanges, exhibitions, collection management, restoration and publications.

Key claims

State decoration: Mattarella conferred Italy's highest state decoration on Lee during a state banquet, in recognition of his contributions to bilateral ties, as reported by Yonhap News.
Elevation of ties: Lee and Mattarella agreed to elevate bilateral ties to a special strategic partnership, with a focus on semiconductors, AI and other strategic sectors, as reported by Yonhap News.
First state visit in 26 years: Lee's visit to Italy is the first by a South Korean president in 26 years, according to Yonhap News.
Business roundtable: A South Korea-Italy business roundtable involving around 30 companies is planned to explore growth opportunities, as reported by Yonhap News.
MOUs on SMEs and social solidarity economy: The two countries plan to sign memorandums of understanding on cooperation for small and medium-sized enterprises and social solidarity economy, as reported by Yonhap News.
Four agreements signed: South Korea and Italy signed four agreements covering advanced science and technology and joint development projects in Africa, as reported by Yonhap News.
Museum MOU: The National Museum of Korea and the Uffizi Galleries signed an MOU to enhance cooperation in exchanging collections, as reported by Yonhap News.
Free trade and multilateralism: Lee expressed hope that South Korea and Italy would work together to promote global free trade and multilateralism, as reported by Yonhap News.