On June 12, Kim Jung-Soo, the Minister of Trade, presented the outcomes of the Korea-Italy business roundtable at a press center in Rome, attended by business leaders from both nations.
Lee Jae-Yong, Chairman of Samsung Electronics, remarked, "Italy is a special country for Samsung. Events like the Milan Furniture Fair have been a remarkable source of inspiration, and our Chief Design Officer is also Italian."
He added that collaboration between Italy, a nation known for its scientific prowess, and Korea, a leader in technological innovation, could lead to expanded cooperation in various advanced industries.
Koo Ja-Eun, Chairman of LS, highlighted recent collaborative achievements with Italy, stating, "Italy, which serves as a Mediterranean hub connecting North Africa and Europe, is crucial for us, and we will strive to achieve tangible results in the power infrastructure sector."
Cho Hyun-Joon, Chairman of Hyosung, shared examples of cooperation in fashion and finance, expressing a commitment to enhance collaboration in eco-friendly materials and energy infrastructure to contribute to the economic development of both countries.
Kim Jung-Soo of Samyang Foods introduced joint research and development efforts aimed at improving the taste and quality of noodle products from both countries, including Korean ramen and Italian pasta.
Moon Jae-Young, CEO of HD Construction Machinery, expressed gratitude for the swift resolution of issues related to the accelerated depreciation system, likening the Italian government's problem-solving speed to that of Ferrari.
Minister Kim also reported that companies such as LG Chem, Naver, Korea Aerospace Industries, Fashion Group Hyungji, Cosmax, and Cureverse expressed their aspirations to expand cooperation with Italian firms in their respective fields.
Italian business leaders responded positively. John Elkann, Chairman of Ferrari, described Korea as a continuously inspiring market and a home-like country, expressing hope for collaboration in electrification and digitalization through joint research and development.
A senior official from the Blue House noted that Elkann and Lee Jae-Yong have been friends for 27 years and mentioned that Lee had previously served as an outside director at Ferrari.
In addition to Elkann, the heads of Italy's defense and shipbuilding company Fincantieri and the cosmetics firm Kiko Milano also expressed their desire for collaborative relationships with Korea.
After the business leaders' remarks, President Yoon Suk Yeol emphasized the importance of solidarity and cooperation among countries that share values during this significant transitional period. He expressed hope for mutual development between Korea and Italy in the dynamically changing global order and anticipated a pivotal role for business leaders in this process.
Following the event, President Yoon held an impromptu post-meeting with Korean business leaders to express his gratitude for their participation. He also encouraged them to submit proactive policy suggestions, particularly those that individual ministries may find challenging to address, directly to the Presidential Policy Office.
President Yoon also announced that a direct hotline between the two countries, proposed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent visit to India, has been established between the Indian Prime Minister's Office and the Blue House, and confirmed that the 'Korea Business Week' will take place in India at the end of this month.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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