President Lee Jae-myung and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni Highlight Cultural and Economic Synergies in Bilateral Summit

President Lee Jae-myung met Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in New York on September 24, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, reaffirming the growing alignment between Korea and Italy across economic and cultural dimensions. The summit followed their first encounter at the G7 meeting in Canada earlier this year, and was marked not only by discussions of trade, investment, and technology, but also by a shared appreciation of culture as a central pillar of bilateral cooperation.

The meeting began on a distinctly cultural note. Prime Minister Meloni spoke of her nine-year-old daughter’s passion for Korean culture, describing her as an enthusiastic fan of K-pop and deeply interested in traditional attire and broader aspects of Korean heritage. President Lee responded warmly, promising that when Prime Minister Meloni visits Seoul, a special cultural program would be prepared for her daughter. The exchange set a cordial tone for a dialogue that underscored how cultural affinity can reinforce strategic partnership.

Both leaders recognized that Korea and Italy share striking commonalities, from geography to national character, and agreed to deepen collaboration across key industries including artificial intelligence, defense, and advanced manufacturing. Prime Minister Meloni emphasized the robust potential of economic cooperation, citing the recent Korea-Italy Business Forum in Seoul, which drew significant participation from companies on both sides and demonstrated the appetite for expanded trade and investment.

Yet it was the cultural dimension that gave the meeting its distinctive resonance. Korea’s global cultural presence—from K-pop and cinema to fashion, design, and visual arts—is increasingly seen as a powerful complement to its industrial and technological strength. Italy, with its own longstanding reputation as a cultural capital of the world, found common ground in this dual identity. The two leaders agreed that combining their respective strengths in culture and creativity can open new pathways not only for bilateral exchange but also for shaping global cultural and economic trends.

Observers noted that the atmosphere of the summit was defined by confidence and mutual respect, reflecting how culture can serve as both a bridge and a catalyst in diplomacy. The encounter in New York underscored that Korea is no longer perceived solely as a hub of industrial production or technology, but as a nation exporting creativity, innovation, and cultural influence.

By weaving together culture and commerce, Korea and Italy now stand poised to elevate their partnership into a model of comprehensive cooperation, demonstrating how shared cultural capital can amplify economic opportunity and global presence alike.