Korea and Italy Sign Four MOUs on AI, SMEs, and African Development, Establishing Foundation for ‘Special Strategic Partnership’ Implementation

Intergovernmental MOUs Signed During President Lee’s State Visit
Pilot Projects in African Agriculture, Digitalization, and Education
Expanded Cooperation in AI, Space, and Biotechnology

South Korea and Italy have signed four intergovernmental memoranda of understanding (MOUs) in the fields of development cooperation, advanced science and technology·ICT, social solidarity economy, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)·microbusinesses, on the occasion of President Lee Jae-myung's state visit to Italy. This move comes after the two countries elevated their relationship to a “special strategic partnership,” laying the institutional foundation for substantive cooperation in economic, technological, and development sectors.

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and Antonio Tajani, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy, signed a development cooperation MOU on the 12th (local time) at the Prime Minister's Guest House in Rome, Italy, attended by President Lee Jae-myung and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. 2026.6.12 Yonhap News Agency

President Lee Jae-myung and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni attended the MOU signing ceremony held at the Prime Minister’s State Guest House in Rome on June 12 (local time), following their official summit meeting. The signing of these documents focused on translating the “2026–2030 Korea-Italy Strategic Action Plan” — adopted by both countries — into concrete projects, thereby giving practical substance to the special strategic partnership.

The most notable area is cooperation on development in Africa. Through the Korea-Italy development cooperation MOU, the two countries will regularize their policy consultative meetings and pursue pilot joint projects in Africa, leveraging their respective strengths. Target sectors include agriculture and rural development (such as coffee), digitalization, and education and training. Target countries identified include Uganda, Ethiopia, Egypt, and Côte d'Ivoire. This initiative is aimed at realizing a mutually beneficial partnership linked to Italy’s core Africa strategy, the “Mattei Plan,” and at generating joint development outcomes in Africa for both countries.

An MOU on cooperation in advanced science and technology·ICT was also signed. The two countries agreed to expand cooperation in future strategic technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), quantum technology, biotechnology·life sciences, and space technology. They will also promote participation in international research programs, joint use of research infrastructure, and information exchange on science and technology policies and legal/regulatory trends. The two countries plan to review the implementation of these cooperative projects and discuss follow-up tasks through the Korea-Italy Joint Committee on Science and Technology.

This MOU, based on the Korea-Italy Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement signed in 2007, establishes a new framework for collaboration encompassing emerging technologies. The initiative aims to extend traditional scientific cooperation into digital and advanced technology sectors, positioning science, technology, and innovation as a core pillar of the bilateral special strategic partnership. President Lee also previously explained in a joint press announcement that the two countries are supporting joint research projects in AI, advanced biotechnology, space·marine·aerospace, semiconductors, and displays.

On June 12, 2026, Yoon Hojung, Minister of the Interior and Safety, and Marina Teresa Bellucci, Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Policies of Italy, held a Social Solidarity Economy MOU signing ceremony at the Prime Minister’s State Guesthouse in Rome, Italy, attended by President Lee Jae-myung and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Cooperation between the two countries will also begin in the social solidarity economy sector. Under the MOU on social solidarity economy, South Korea and Italy will collaborate on joint research related to overall policy and systems, legal and institutional improvements, sharing best practices and innovative models, revitalizing social finance, and supporting the establishment of international networks. As this is the first MOU signed with Italy — regarded as a leading country in cooperatives and the social solidarity economy — it is expected to serve as an opportunity to broaden the scope of bilateral cooperation.

The MOU on cooperation regarding SMEs and microbusinesses includes a shared recognition of the economic contribution and importance of SMEs and microbusinesses in both countries, as well as the promotion of policy dialogue and exchange of institutional practices. The presidential office expects that linking Italy’s traditional manufacturing strengths and craftsmanship with Korea’s technological innovation capabilities will provide a foundation to enhance the global competitiveness of SMEs and microbusinesses in both countries. The agreement also signifies an expansion of exchanges beyond intergovernmental cooperation to the private sector, including cooperatives.

The signing of these MOUs is a significant step in extending the upgraded bilateral relationship into the economic and industrial domains. The two countries plan to monitor the implementation of the MOUs and identify concrete projects through policy consultative meetings, joint committees, and working-level channels in each field.

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