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President Lee Jae-myung walks toward the venue after taking a photo with attendees, including Brazilian Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, Federation of Korean Industries Chairman Ryu Jin, and Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung, at the South Korea-Brazil Business Roundtable held at a hotel in São Paulo, Brazil, on July 28 (local time). / Yonhap News

President Lee Jae-myung, currently on a state visit to Brazil, said at the South Korea-Brazil Business Roundtable on July 28 (local time), "I expect we can achieve major results across three key areas: joint development of next-generation commercial aircraft, supply chain cooperation in critical minerals, and K-beauty, which is gaining explosive popularity."

Speaking at the event held at a hotel in downtown São Paulo, President Lee said, "If business leaders from both nations join hands, South Korea and Brazil can grow together as aviation manufacturing powerhouses leading the global aircraft market, key supply chain partners, and leaders in the global beauty market."

President Lee added, "South Korea is an advanced manufacturing powerhouse with capabilities in various sectors including AI, semiconductors, and bio, as well as automotive and steel. If South Korea's unmatched innovative technology and manufacturing capabilities join forces with Brazil's abundant natural resources, our two nations will leap forward as optimal partners jointly leading stable supply chains and future industries."

He stressed, "As South Korea-Brazil relations were upgraded to a Strategic Partnership last February, we must now uncover many joint projects for collaboration."

"Brazil is already South Korea's largest trading partner in South America, and investments by South Korean companies in Brazil are steadily growing," President Lee said. "Considering the economic scale of both nations, the potential for economic cooperation is immense. However, our current trade volume remains very small compared to this potential."

He added, "I had extensive discussions with President Lula yesterday. Both countries must now forge a new path to realize each other's potential through cooperation."

President Lee also noted, "I hope you forge concrete relationships on the ground based on trust and cooperation—different from the past—so that both sides can grow together, and I hope today's meeting serves as that starting point."

The event was attended by major business leaders, including Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung, POSCO Group Chairman Chang In-hwa, Korean Air Chairman Walter Cho, Samsung Electronics President Park Seung-hee, and Naver CEO Choi Soo-yeon.

Also present were Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) Chairman Ryu Jin, FKI Vice Chairman Kim Chang-beom, LG Electronics CEO Ryu Jae-chul, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) CEO Kim Jong-chul, SK Biopharmaceuticals CEO Lee Dong-hoon, HD Hyundai Construction Equipment President Moon Jae-young, Hanwha Ocean President Jung In-sub, Amorepacific CEO Lee Sang-mok, Silicon2 CEO Kim Sung-yoon, APR CEO Kim Byung-hoon, Craver Corporation CEO Cheon Joo-hyuk, and Korea Importers Association Chairwoman Yun Young-mi.

                                                                                                              Hong Sun-mi