Italy and South Korea launch a Special Strategic Partnership, including agreements on AI, semiconductors, space, and defense.

Giorgia Meloni met with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at Villa Pamphili. The 2026-2030 Strategic Action Plan was signed, strengthening cooperation between Rome and Seoul in the key sectors of the economy, technology, security, and innovation.

Italy and South Korea are significantly strengthening their diplomatic, economic, and strategic relations. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni received the President of the Republic of Korea, Lee Jae Myung, on a state visit to Italy, at Villa Pamphili, signing an agreement intended to redefine bilateral relations between the two countries for the next decade.

The meeting, which follows the official mission of the Italian Prime Minister to Seoul on 19 January, concluded with the elevation of bilateral relations to the level of Special Strategic Partnership , the highest level of cooperation envisaged between the two states, and with the adoption of the new Italy-Korea Strategic Action Plan 2026-2030.

At the end of the summit, four agreements were also signed in the fields of development cooperation, advanced science and technology, information and communication technologies, the social and solidarity economy, and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises.

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A new strategic axis between Europe and Asia

The document signed by the two leaders defines a five-year roadmap aimed at strengthening political dialogue, encouraging investment, developing new industrial collaborations, and promoting joint initiatives in key international dossiers.

The goals include strengthening political dialogue through regular high-level meetings, increased cooperation in multilateral organizations, and coordination in international fora, including the G20 ahead of South Korea's 2028 presidency. The plan also calls for closer collaboration within the United Nations to promote a more representative and effective Security Council reform.

Particular attention was also paid to the stability of the Indo-Pacific, an area considered crucial to global geopolitical and trade balances. During their meeting, Meloni and Lee reaffirmed their shared commitment to peace, security, and prosperity in the region, also addressing international tensions and the need to contribute to efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's key energy corridors.

Semiconductors, artificial intelligence and high technology at the heart of the collaboration

One of the pillars of the new partnership concerns industrial and technological cooperation.

Italy and South Korea have agreed to deepen their collaboration in sectors considered strategic for global competitiveness: semiconductors, artificial intelligence, space, advanced automotive, critical raw materials, and energy.

The Action Plan includes the creation of a Joint Coordination Committee dedicated to semiconductors, critical raw materials, and automotive manufacturing, with the aim of strengthening industrial supply chains and increasing the resilience of these industries.

The two nations also intend to encourage mutual investments between private companies, increase market access, and develop joint opportunities in third countries, with particular attention to the African continent.

Scientific and space cooperation: new projects between ASI and KASA

Ample space is dedicated to scientific research and innovation.

The program envisages the implementation of the XIV Executive Program for Scientific and Technological Cooperation for the three-year period 2026-2028, with joint projects in numerous frontier sectors:

• environmental sciences;
• energy transition;
• physics and quantum sciences;
• advanced materials and nanotechnologies;
• protection of cultural heritage;
• artificial intelligence applied to medicine and biotechnology.

Of particular importance is the collaboration between the Italian Space Agency and the Korea AeroSpace Administration, which will develop joint initiatives in Earth observation, environmental monitoring, emergency management, SAR radar technologies, space surveillance, and scientific space exploration.

The two nations will also collaborate on defining ethical principles for the development of artificial intelligence and on innovative, energy-efficient solutions for the data centers of the future.

Culture, universities, and tourism: more exchanges between citizens

Strengthening relations will not only concern economics and technology.

Italy and Korea have agreed to expand cultural, university, and tourism exchanges through new cultural cooperation programs, exhibitions, and joint initiatives between museums and public and private institutions.

The conclusion of a film co-production agreement, expected to be signed shortly, was also welcomed, while relations between universities and higher education institutions will be encouraged, including projects dedicated to the conservation and restoration of cultural heritage.

On the education front, the two governments will promote the teaching of Korean in Italy and Italian in South Korea, as well as encouraging youth mobility through the Working Holiday program and new twinning agreements between cities in the two countries.

New developments also include updating the 2002 agreement on the conversion of driving licences and considering a revision of the bilateral agreement on social security.

Defense, security and the fight against international crime

The new Special Strategic Partnership also includes strengthening military and security cooperation.

The Armed Forces of the two countries will intensify joint training activities to increase interoperability and operational capabilities, while developing new initiatives in the field of maritime security and the protection of underwater infrastructure.

On internal security, Italy and South Korea have agreed to strengthen cooperation between their respective police forces to combat transnational organized crime, improve information exchange, and evaluate joint patrols in tourist areas.

A five-year plan to consolidate a global partnership

To ensure effective implementation of the commitments made, the Action Plan provides for a periodic monitoring mechanism through the Italy-Korea Strategic Dialogue, which will be responsible for verifying progress achieved and defining new joint priorities.

With the signing of the Special Strategic Partnership, Rome and Seoul are ushering in a new phase of bilateral relations, aiming to transform cooperation between Europe and Asia into a development model based on technological innovation, sustainable economic growth, shared security, and international dialogue.