On behalf of the Korean people, I extend my sincere gratitude to President Sergio Mattarella and the people of Italy for the warm welcome extended to me and my delegation.

It is deeply meaningful and a great honor to visit Italy on a state visit as President of the Republic of Korea – the first such visit in twenty-six years. 

Built on 142 years of enduring mutual trust, the horizons of cooperation between our two countries continue to broaden.

Italy is ROK's fourth-largest trading partner within the European Union, while the ROK is Italy’s fourth-largest trading partner in Asia. We have already become very important trading partners to each other.

Moreover, cooperation between our two countries is expanding beyond trade and investment to include advanced industries and science and technology sectors such as renewable energy, biohealth and digital technology, as well as the artificial intelligence, defense and space industries.

Above all, our bilateral relations rest on the solid foundation of people-to-people exchanges. The Korean people’s affection for Italy is truly exceptional, as demonstrated by the fact that approximately 1 million Koreans visit Italy

each year.

An increasing number of young Italians are visiting Korea, drawn by K-pop and K-beauty.

Reflecting our shared commitment to advancing our cooperation in an even more dynamic way, President Mattarella and I agreed today to elevate our bilateral relationship to a Special Strategic Partnership.

Building on the trust and bonds we have forged over the years and our shared values, our two countries will open a new chapter of cooperation aimed at achieving shared prosperity.

Allow me to share the key outcomes of our meeting and this visit to Italy.

First, our two countries will further develop trade and investment cooperation in a mutually beneficial manner and work together to ensure that businesses from both countries can operate in a stable environment.

The ROK–Italy Business Roundtable, which will be held tomorrow in Rome, will bring together approximately thirty companies from our two countries.

I believe this will provide a valuable opportunity for companies from both countries to explore new avenues for growth in a wide range of fields, including semiconductors, AI, the defense industry, aerospace, energy and biohealth.

Notably, we will sign on this occasion the MOU on Promotion and Cooperation in the Fields of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises and Micro-Enterprises and the MOU for the Enhancement of Cooperation in the Field of the Social and Solidarity Economy. These MOUs will serve as an important foundation for identifying practical ways to support SMEs and small business owners and for fostering vibrant social and solidarity economy ecosystems in both countries.

In January, during Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s visit to Korea, I shared my views on the potential implications of Italy’s newly introduced super-depreciation scheme for Korean companies.

Thanks to the prompt action taken by the Italian government and parliament, the unfavorable conditions affecting our companies have recently been addressed. I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude.

I believe that this stands as a powerful testament to the profound trust between our two governments and our unwavering commitment to shared prosperity.

For its part, the Korean government is committed to ensuring a smooth and stable business environment for Italian companies operating in Korea.

Second, we will further expand forward-looking cooperation between our two countries in advanced industries and science and technology.

The ROK and Italy are supporting joint research projects in eight fields, including AI, advanced biotechnology, space, maritime and aviation technologies, and semiconductors and displays, from 2026 to 2028.

In particular, building on the cooperation MOU concluded last year, our two countries’ space agencies are strengthening their strategic coordination through joint satellite orbit and position tracking as well as cooperation in responding to potential risks.

The MOU on Cooperation in Advanced Science and Technology and ICT (Information and Communication Technology), to be adopted on this occasion, will serve as an institutional foundation for further advancing our two countries’ partnership in national strategic technology sectors, including AI, quantum industries, sixth generation mobile communications and advanced biotechnology.

Third, drawing on our time-honored cultural heritage and creativity, we will further broaden cultural cooperation and people-to-people exchanges between our two countries.

Italy has been a steadfast partner in cultural exchanges, helping introduce the artistic excellence and cinematic quality of Korean films to European and international audiences through the Venice International Film Festival and the Florence Korea Film Fest.

Through the Agreement on Film Coproduction that our two countries have agreed to conclude, our two nations will be able to generate greater synergy from our respective cultural strengths, creating new opportunities for the revitalization of our cultural industries.

Also on the occasion of this visit, Korean-language audio guide services will be launched for the first time at the Roman Forum – a historic site that vividly illuminates the origins and history of Roman civilization.

From the Colosseum and the ruins of Pompeii to the Roman Forum, I hope that the Korean people will be able to experience Italy’s time-honored history and culture more easily and vividly.

The National Museum of Korea and the Uffizi Galleries are scheduled to sign an MOU during my June 13 visit to Florence. 

I am confident that this will serve as an important opportunity to further enhance cultural exchanges between both our peoples.

Moreover, special attention and support will be extended to facilitate smooth exchanges between students from both nations and promote the study of each other’s languages.

Fourth, as responsible members of the international community, we will pool our wisdom and strengthen our joint responses to geopolitical challenges.

The supply chain disruptions caused by the recent situation in the Middle East have underscored the critical need of close cooperation among partner countries.

Korea and Italy will continue to engage in close communication and cooperation to enhance energy security and supply chain stability.

The MOU on Development Cooperation, to be signed on this occasion, will enable our two countries to jointly support economic growth in Africa and the Indo-Pacific while further solidifying our strategic partnership.

Moreover, our two countries will jointly respond to the climate crisis – a shared challenge for humanity – through a great transition to renewable energy, while actively contributing to the efforts of the international community.

Finally, our two countries will maintain close communication for the sake of regional peace and stability, including on the Korean Peninsula.

I outlined to President Mattarella my vision for peaceful coexistence and shared growth on the Korean Peninsula.

The President expressed high regard for our government’s commitment to dialogue and cooperation and pledge d to work together for peace and stability on the Peninsula.

Based on our shared value of respect for international law and multilateral cooperation, we will continue to broaden the horizons of our cooperation on the international stage, including at the United Nations.

To ensure the faithful implementation and effective follow-up of all these achievements and cooperative measures, our two countries will adopt the ROK-Italy Strategic Action Plan 2026–2030.

We will continue to strengthen our communication and cooperation so that this visit can open a new path to shared prosperity and yield tangible changes in the lives of Korean and Italian citizens.

I extend my sincere gratitude once again to President Mattarella and the Italian people for their warm hospitality.

I look forward to opening new horizons together for the Republic of Korea and Italy.

Grazie di cuore! (Thank you.)