President Lee Jae Myung will receive Italy's highest state decoration from President Sergio Mattarella on Thursday in Rome in recognition of contributions to bilateral ties.
President Lee Jae Myung and Italian President Sergio Mattarella held summit talks at the Quirinal Palace in Rome on Thursday. The two leaders agreed to elevate bilateral ties to a special strategic partnership.
Mattarella was to confer the Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic on Lee during a state banquet. This is Italy's highest decoration for foreign heads of state.
Lee cited semiconductors, AI, defense manufacturing, aerospace, energy and biotechnology as areas for deeper cooperation. The countries established diplomatic ties in 1884 and plan MOUs on small and medium-sized enterprises.
A South Korea-Italy business roundtable involving around 30 companies is scheduled for Friday in Rome to explore economic opportunities.