South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung greet well-wishers after arriving aboard Air Force One at Rome Fiumicino International Airport during their state visit to Italy on the 10th (local time). / Yonhap News Agency

On June 10, President Lee Jae‑myung arrived in Italy, the second stop of his three‑nation European tour, beginning his state visit schedule.

He landed at Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport at 10:38 p.m. local time.

Welcoming him and the First Lady were Italy’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Chief of Protocol, and the Italian Ambassador to Korea. Honor guards from the army, navy, air force, and police lined both sides of the red carpet in full state‑visit protocol.

On June 11, President Lee will attend an official welcoming ceremony hosted by President Sergio Mattarella, followed by a summit meeting. Afterward, a joint press announcement reflecting the discussions is scheduled. In the afternoon, he will meet with the Speaker of the Italian Chamber of Deputies and lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

On June 12, he will hold a summit with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. This will be their third meeting, following last September’s UN General Assembly and Meloni’s official visit to Korea in January.

President Lee will first hold a small‑group meeting with Prime Minister Meloni, then proceed to an expanded summit over lunch and an MOU signing ceremony.

In the evening, he will attend Italy’s official farewell ceremony and then participate in the Korea‑Italy Business Roundtable to support bilateral economic and industrial exchanges.

The roundtable will be attended by major business leaders from both countries, including Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae‑yong and Naver CEO Choi Soo‑yeon. Cooperation and business opportunities in semiconductors, aerospace, energy, and biotechnology are expected to be discussed.

Italy, a major EU and G7 nation, has strengths in high‑value manufacturing, cultural industries, and tourism. The Blue House expects the visit to expand not only economic and industrial cooperation but also cultural and people‑to‑people exchanges.

National Security Advisor Wi Sung‑rak explained: “Italy, an EU and G7 nation, shares many commonalities with us, from its geographical position linking sea and continent, to its export economy centered on high‑value manufacturing, and its soft power rooted in cultural appeal.”

He added, “Italy is a key partner in expanding the scope of our pragmatic, national‑interest‑centered diplomacy into Europe.”

After completing the state visit to Italy, President Lee will visit the Vatican from June 14 to 15. On June 14, he will attend a special Mass for peace and solidarity at St. Paul’s Basilica, and on June 15 he will meet Pope Leo XIV and Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State.

President Lee is expected to use the Vatican visit to seek the Pope’s and the Holy See’s support and interest in peace on the Korean Peninsula.

                                                                                                          Park Young‑hoon