In a post on X (formerly Twitter), President Lee stated, "I was able to share good news with South Korean tour guides in Italy and our citizens during this visit."
He noted that the exchange between the two countries is growing, with nearly one million South Koreans visiting Italy each year. However, he pointed out the severe shortage of official guides who can provide tours in Korean.
President Lee explained that the tour guide qualification exam had been suspended for a long time, and the recently resumed exam was so difficult that even Italians found it challenging. This situation has created significant difficulties for South Korean expatriates, who rely on this profession, and has hindered South Koreans from fully enjoying Italy's history and culture.
He mentioned that he intended to raise this issue during the summit, but Prime Minister Meloni was already aware of the situation and expressed her willingness to seek solutions. "I sincerely thank Prime Minister Meloni and the Italian government for their special attention and consideration," he said.
President Lee added, "While it may not seem like a major achievement, I believe that addressing the everyday issues faced by our citizens is the essence of diplomacy. I will continue to pay close attention and work to ensure that our expatriates can work with dignity and be respected as South Koreans, no matter where they are."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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