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

National Museum of Korea and Uffizi Gallery Sign MOU
Expanding Cooperation in Exhibitions, Collection 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, visited the Uffizi Gallery in Florence on June 13 (local time) to attend the signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on cooperation between the National Museum of Korea and the Uffizi Gallery. This event, coinciding with the elevation of relations between Korea and Italy to a "special strategic partnership," marks an expansion of bilateral cooperation beyond the realms of economy and security into cultural heritage exchange.

President Lee Jae-myung and First Lady Kim Hyekyung, who are on a state visit to Italy, are entering the National Central Museum and Uffizi Gallery's "Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Cooperation in Museum Programs and Services" signing ceremony held at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence on June 13 (local time). 2026.6.14 Yonhap News Agency Photo by Yonhap News

Kang Yoo-jung, Chief Presidential Spokesperson, announced in a written briefing that President Lee visited Florence, the capital of Tuscany, where he met with Eugenio Giani, Governor of Tuscany, before heading to the Uffizi Gallery, renowned as the pinnacle of Renaissance art. The Uffizi Gallery is a world-class museum famed for its vast Medici family collection, including masterpieces such as 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." The agreement is significant as it establishes a foundation for collaboration between the leading cultural institutions of both countries across a wide range of museum services, including exhibitions, collection management, education and interpretation, restoration, and publishing.

The MOU aims to promote the value and mutual exchange of cultural heritage between Korea and Italy. In the future, both institutions plan to broaden their cooperation to include the exchange of professional staff, collaborative exhibitions, art loans, interpretive and educational programs, as well as restoration and publishing projects. Notably, discussions are expected on ways to introduce key works from the Uffizi Gallery’s collection to audiences in Korea. During the signing ceremony, Director Yoo expressed his hope to showcase masterpieces such as those by Botticelli in Korea, and Director Verde also responded by expressing his desire to present works from 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 pricing system. When Director Verde explained that there are single tickets for the Uffizi as well as package tickets that allow access to various cultural heritage sites in Florence, President Lee continued to ask additional questions, demonstrating his interest in how these cultural heritage viewing services are managed and operated.

Earlier, in his meeting with Governor Giani, President Lee requested continued attention and support for the Florence Korean Film Festival. He praised the region of Tuscany for introducing the artistry and quality of Korean cinema to Europe and the world through the Florence Korean Film Festival since 2003. He further stated his hope that, based on the Korea-Italy film co-production agreement finalized during this state visit, even more collaborative productions harnessing the filmmaking strengths 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

President Lee also requested special attention to the convenience and safety of Korean citizens 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 home to the world-renowned Uffizi Gallery, and a popular city among Korean visitors to Italy.

President Lee’s visit to Florence also reflects the Italian government’s customary practice of including local cities in the itinerary for state guests. When President Sergio Mattarella of Italy paid a state visit to Korea in 2023, he demonstrated his respect for Korean culture by visiting Panmunjom and Haeinsa Temple in Hapcheon, South Gyeongsang Province. President Lee concluded his official state visit to Italy with his stop in Florence.

After his visit, President Lee wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “Confronting the power of high culture,” and pondered, “Perhaps Florence’s strength truly comes from the power of culture that has captivated humanity.” He added, “I hope that the friendship and cooperation built between the Republic of Korea and Italy will remain a precious legacy, delivering inspiration and resonance to future generations.”

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