President Yoon Seeks to Expand Trade with Italy

President Yoon Suk Yeol attended a Korea-Italy Business Roundtable in Rome, Italy on the 12th (local time), discussing ways to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation and explore new business opportunities.

The President emphasized the importance of networks with reliable partners amid intensifying technological hegemony competition and rapid changes in the global economic order.

Italy is South Korea's fourth-largest trading partner among EU countries. He stated that Italy and South Korea are optimal partners, possessing strengths in basic science and engineering design, and advanced manufacturing and technological innovation, respectively. Cooperation in cutting-edge industries such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, aviation, and space, as well as in energy infrastructure, is key to future growth engines, he added.

Attendees at the event included prominent Korean business leaders such as Ryu Jin, Chairman of the Korea Employers Federation, and Lee Jae-yong, Chairman of Samsung Electronics, along with Italian business figures including the Vice President of the General Confederation of Italian Industry. Approximately 30 business representatives and officials from both countries were present.