Lee received the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit, Italy's highest-ranking state decoration, typically awarded to foreign heads of state and individuals deemed to have made exceptional contributions to Italy. It marked the first time since taking office that Lee has received such a state honor from a foreign government.
The ceremonial welcoming event began even before Lee landed in Rome. Two Italian fighter jets escorted South Korea's presidential aircraft after it entered Italian airspace, a gesture reserved for visiting heads of state.
"This was not a courtesy extended to [Lee] personally, but to [South] Korea and the Korean people," Lee wrote Thursday on X, formerly Twitter, after sharing footage of the escort flight. He described it as a sign of respect for "a leading democracy, an efficient nation and a global cultural power built by the great people of Korea."
The visit marked the first state visit by a South Korean president to Italy in 26 years and included summit talks with Italian President Sergio Mattarella. The two leaders agreed to elevate bilateral ties to a "special strategic partnership," citing growing cooperation in semiconductors, artificial intelligence, aerospace, energy, biotechnology and defense industries.
Lee said South Korea and Italy had built "142 years of trust" since establishing diplomatic relations and noted that Italy is South Korea's fourth-largest trading partner within the European Union, while South Korea ranks as Italy's fourth-largest trading partner in Asia.
The two first met on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York in 2025 and held bilateral talks in Seoul in January, when Meloni became the first Italian prime minister to visit South Korea in 19 years and the first European leader to visit the country since Lee took office.
Officials from both countries have increasingly portrayed the relationship as one extending beyond economics and security. During her January visit to Seoul, Meloni highlighted growing cultural exchanges between the two nations. Italian media and Korean officials have frequently noted her daughter's interest in K-pop, a reflection of the broader popularity of Korean culture in Italy.
The strengthened partnership comes as Seoul and Rome seek closer coordination on advanced technologies and supply-chain resilience. Earlier this year, the two governments agreed to deepen cooperation in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, aerospace and critical minerals while expanding people-to-people exchanges and cultural ties.
For Italy, one of Europe's leading manufacturing powers, and South Korea, a major technology exporter, the upgraded relationship reflects a shared effort to broaden strategic cooperation amid increasing geopolitical and economic uncertainty.
National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee member Rep. Kim Joon-hyung of the Rebuilding Korea Party, a former chancellor of the Korea National Diplomatic Academy, said, "There are so many areas in which South Korea and Italy can cooperate, including fashion, film, and culture."
Indeed, during the summit, the two countries agreed to conclude a co-production agreement for films. Lee also said, "On the occasion of my visit to Florence on June 13, a memorandum of understanding will be signed between the National Museum of Korea and Italy's Uffizi Gallery."
Kim added, "Italy is much more proactive toward South Korea."
After concluding his schedule in Italy, Lee will visit the Vatican. There, he is set to attend a special Mass for peace and solidarity and meet with Pope Leo XIV to exchange messages praying for peace around the world and on the Korean Peninsula.
Lee will travel to Évian, France, to attend the G7 gathering on June 16–17, where he will take part in leaders' discussions on issues such as reducing global imbalances and artificial intelligence (AI). It will mark his second consecutive year attending the summit, following last year.
Rep. Kim Gunn, the main opposition People Power Party (PPP)'s ranking member on the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee and a former South Korean ambassador to the U.K. said, "I hope that at the G7 Summit, [Lee] will meet with U.S. President Donald Trump to clearly convey our position on the NTE Report and non-tariff barriers, and reaffirm South Korea's commitment to implementing bilateral cooperation initiatives, including the implementation of the Joint Fact Sheet."
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.
