'State Visit' President Lee to Receive Italy's Highest Order of Merit... Blue House: "Highest Level of Honor"

President Mattarella to Present the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
Business Leaders Lee Jayong, Ryu Jin, and Koo Jaeun Invited to Banquet;
Myung-Whun Chung and Milanonna Also Among the Guests

President Lee Jae-myung will receive an order of merit from the Italian government during his state visit to Italy. In recognition of the first state visit by a South Korean president to Italy in 26 years, and President Lee's first visit to Europe since taking office, the Italian side is providing special honors, including an Air Force escort flight and the conferment of a state banquet order of merit.

President Lee Jae-myung and Italian President Sergio Mattarella held a summit meeting at the Rome Presidential Palace on the 11th (local time). 2026.6.11 Yonhap News Agency

Kang Yoo-jung, Senior Presidential Spokesperson, announced at a briefing in Italy on the 11th (local time) that "At tonight's state banquet, Italian President Sergio Mattarella will present President Lee Jae-myung with the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, the highest order of merit for foreign heads of state."

Senior Spokesperson Kang explained that this honor "recognizes President Lee's contribution to strengthening friendly relations between South Korea and Italy and expresses the highest level of respect," adding, "It is the first order of merit President Lee has received from a foreign government since taking office."

The Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic is Italy's highest honor, established by law on March 3, 1951. It is awarded to Italians or foreign heads of state who have made outstanding contributions to the enhancement of national prestige in various fields such as science, the arts, the economy, and public service. Recent recipients include King Charles III of the United Kingdom, President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), President Rumen Radev of Bulgaria, and King Philippe of Belgium.

Italian state protocol has been in effect since the previous day. When President Lee's Air Force One entered Italian airspace, two Italian Air Force Eurofighters escorted the aircraft on both sides. President Lee expressed his gratitude on social media, stating, "This honor is not for Lee Jae-myung personally, but for the Republic of Korea and its people," and added, "I believe it is a mark of respect for the great Korean people who have built the world's leading democracy, the most efficient nation, and a global cultural powerhouse."

The state banquet will also be attended by numerous figures symbolizing expanded economic cooperation between the two countries. In addition to government officials, the Italian side has invited 13 South Korean business leaders, including Ryu Jin, Chairman of the Korea Enterprises Federation; Lee Jae-yong, Chairman of Samsung Electronics; Koo Ja-eun, Chairman of LS Group; and Cho Hyun-joon, Chairman of Hyosung Group.

These business leaders are also scheduled to attend the Korea-Italy Business Roundtable on the 12th, where they will discuss concrete plans for economic cooperation between the two countries. This development is seen as an effort to extend the significance of the state visit beyond diplomatic protocol to cooperation in industry, supply chains, and advanced technologies.

Figures from the cultural and artistic sectors will also be present at the banquet. The invitation list includes Myung-Whun Chung, Music Director of the Teatro alla Scala Opera House in Milan; Mauro Porcini, Chief Design Officer at Samsung Electronics; and the fashion influencer Milanonna.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.