Overview
- Meeting in Seoul on Jan. 19, President Lee Jae Myung and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni agreed to expand collaboration in artificial intelligence, aerospace, semiconductors and critical raw materials.
- The two governments announced three MOUs covering private‑sector semiconductor cooperation, civil protection for disaster response and the protection of cultural heritage and historic sites.
- Both sides committed to strengthen critical‑mineral supply chains, referencing work through the Minerals Security Partnership, which is currently chaired by South Korea.
- They also pledged complementary cooperation in the defence industry and reaffirmed goals of complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula as well as a peaceful, prosperous Indo‑Pacific.
- Meloni made the first visit by an Italian leader to South Korea in 19 years, renewed expectations for a South Korean state visit to Italy this year and proposed a joint film project during the trip.