Botticelli's 'The Birth of Venus' May Come to Korea... President Lee Concludes Cultural Diplomacy at Italy's Uffizi Gallery

National Museum of Korea and Uffizi Gallery Sign MOU
Expanding Cooperation in Exhibitions, Art Loans, Restoration, and Education
President Lee Requests Continued Support for Korean Film Festival and Safety of Overseas Koreans in Tuscany

President Lee Jae-myung, who is on a state visit to Italy, attended the signing ceremony for a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on cooperation between the National Museum of Korea and the Uffizi Gallery at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence on the 13th (local time). As the relationship between Korea and Italy was elevated to a "special strategic partnership" during this state visit, this move expands the scope of bilateral cooperation beyond the fields of economy and security to include cultural heritage exchange.

President Lee Jae-myung and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung, who are on a state visit to Italy, are entering the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on cooperation in museum programs and services between the National Museum of Korea and the Uffizi Gallery held at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence on June 13 (local time). June 14, 2026, Yonhap News Agency Photo by Yonhap

Kang Yoo-jung, Senior Presidential Spokesperson, stated in a written briefing that President Lee visited Florence, the capital of Tuscany, where he met with Tuscan Governor Eugenio Giani before visiting the Uffizi Gallery, renowned as the pinnacle of Renaissance art. The Uffizi Gallery is a world-famous museum that houses the vast Medici collection, including Giotto's "Ognissanti Madonna," Botticelli's "The Birth of Venus," and Leonardo da Vinci's "Annunciation."

In the presence of President Lee, Yoo Hong-jun, Director of the National Museum of Korea, and Simone Verde, Director of the Uffizi Gallery, signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on cooperation in museum programs and services. This agreement is significant in that it establishes the foundation for collaboration between the two countries' leading cultural institutions across all aspects of museum services, including exhibitions, collection management, education and interpretation, restoration, and publishing.

This MOU aims to promote the value and mutual exchange of the two countries' cultural heritage. The two institutions plan to expand cooperation in the future to include not only professional staff exchanges and exhibition partnerships, but also art loans, interpretation and education programs, as well as restoration and publishing. In particular, discussions are expected on ways to introduce the Uffizi Gallery's representative masterpieces to Korea through exhibition exchanges. At the signing ceremony, Director Yoo expressed hope that masterpieces such as those by Botticelli from the Uffizi Gallery could be introduced in Korea, and Director Verde also responded by expressing his desire to showcase the Uffizi's collection in Korea.

During his meeting with the Director of the Uffizi Gallery, President Lee also showed interest in the museum's admission system. When Director Verde explained that there are both single admission tickets for the Uffizi and package tickets that allow access to several cultural heritage sites in Florence, President Lee asked further questions, demonstrating his interest in the operation of cultural heritage visitor services.

Earlier, during his meeting with Governor Giani, President Lee requested continued attention and support for the Florence Korean Film Festival. President Lee noted that since 2003, Tuscany has introduced the artistry and quality of Korean cinema to Europe and the global stage through the Florence Korean Film Festival. He expressed his expectation that, based on the Korea-Italy film co-production agreement concluded during this state visit, more works combining the production capabilities of both countries would be created.

President Lee Jae-myung, who is on a state visit to Italy, attended the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on cooperation in the field of museum programs and services between Yoo Hong-jun, Director of the National Museum of Korea, and Simone Verde, Director of the Uffizi Gallery, held at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence on the 13th (local time). 2026.6.14 Yonhap News Photo by Yonhap News

President Lee also requested special attention to the convenience and safety of Korean nationals and overseas Koreans visiting Tuscany. The Presidential Office explained that Florence was chosen as a destination because it is the birthplace of the Renaissance, a cultural city with the world-renowned Uffizi Gallery, and a local city frequently visited by Koreans traveling to Italy.

President Lee's visit to Florence also reflects the Italian government's customary practice of including visits to local cities as part of state hospitality. Sergio Mattarella, President of Italy, also visited Panmunjom and Haeinsa Temple in Hapcheon, Gyeongnam, during his state visit to Korea in 2023 as a gesture of respect for Korean culture. President Lee concluded his official state visit to Italy with the end of his visit to Florence.

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