South Korean President Lee Jae-myung Promotes Cultural Diplomacy in Italy

Lee Jae-myung, the President of South Korea, engaged in cultural diplomacy during his visit to Florence, Tuscany, on June 13, 2026. He met with the governor and visited the Uffizi Gallery, marking his first European trip since taking office.

This visit to a city other than the capital, Rome, aligns with the tradition of state visits to Italy. During his visit in 2023, Italian President Sergio Mattarella toured the Korean Peninsula, including the Demilitarized Zone and Haeinsa Temple in Gyeongnam. Similarly, former President Kim Dae-jung visited Milan during his state visit in March 2000.

During the visit, President Lee announced a collaboration between the National Museum of Korea and the Uffizi Gallery, which includes the exchange of exhibition items. The two institutions signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enhance cooperation in areas such as exhibitions, education, collection management, and restoration.

The Uffizi Gallery, renowned for its masterpieces from the Renaissance, including Sandro Botticelli's "The Birth of Venus" and Leonardo da Vinci's "Annunciation," is one of the world's leading art museums.

President Lee toured the second-floor exhibition space of the Uffizi with Yoo Hong-jun, the director of the National Museum of Korea, and Simone Verde, the director of the Uffizi, to view key collections.

Yoo expressed hope that the National Museum could showcase masterpieces from the Uffizi, stating, "Our museum has hosted special exhibitions featuring collections from world-renowned institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the National Gallery in London. We hope to introduce Botticelli's works and others to Korea."

In response, Verde acknowledged the global influence of Korean culture, saying, "We are aware of the significant impact Korean culture has been making worldwide, and we would like to present Uffizi's collections in Korea."

Earlier, President Lee met with Eugenio Giani, the governor of Tuscany, urging him to pay special attention to the convenience and safety of overseas Koreans.

President Lee praised Tuscany, the birthplace of the Renaissance and home to the Uffizi Gallery, for showcasing the artistry of Korean cinema to Europe and the world through the Florence Korean Film Festival since 2003.

He expressed hope that the recently established "Film Co-Production Agreement" between South Korea and Italy would lead to more collaborative projects based on the strengths of both countries' production capabilities.

As the Florence Korean Film Festival marks its 24th year, President Lee called for continued support to solidify its status as an international cultural festival representing Tuscany.

During his visit, President Lee inquired about the cooperative efforts among cooperatives and socio-economic networks in Florence, as well as the annual number of visitors to the city.

Governor Giani mentioned that he was deeply impressed by President Lee's autobiography and referenced his career as a human rights lawyer. He expressed expectations for President Lee to play a significant role in advancing democracy in both South Korea and the international community. President Lee responded, "I believe it is all about the power of democracy."

Senior spokesperson Kang Yu-jeong stated that President Lee's visit to Florence demonstrates the highest respect for Italy's Renaissance cultural heritage while laying the groundwork for enhanced bilateral relations at the local government level.

Meanwhile, First Lady Kim Hye-kyung attended a hanbok fashion show titled "The Beauty of Hanbok Beyond Time" at the National Academy of Rome on June 12, emphasizing cultural exchange between the two nations.

Dressed in a gray hanbok, Kim remarked, "The beauty and creativity of hanbok inspire many people across borders. I hope the inspiration from hanbok evolves into a cultural bridge connecting our two countries and enriches our exchanges."

According to Deputy Spokesperson Ahn Gwi-ryeong, the fashion show featured prominent YouTube creator 'Milanonna' (Jang Myung-sook), faculty and students from the National Academy of Rome, and key figures from the local cultural and artistic community.

Before the show, Kim met with representatives from the fashion department and hanbok designers Kim Hye-soon and Kim Ye-ji for discussions.

Kim expressed, "Fashion is a beautiful means of communication that transcends borders and languages, helping us understand each other's lives and cultures. I hope this time spent through hanbok fosters a deeper understanding and friendly ties between our two countries."