January 19, 2026
South Korea and Italy have agreed on deepening cooperation in high-tech sectors, including artificial intelligence and semiconductors, as well as defence industries and critical mineral supply chains. The agreement followed a meeting between South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Seoul on 19 January, which marked the first visit by an Italian Prime Minister to South Korea in 19 years. The leaders also agreed to schedule the next round of dialogue soon to draw up a new bilateral action plan for 2026–2030.