President Lee Arrives in Brazil, Inspects 'C-390' Military Transport Aircraft as First Official Event: "The Beginning of Defense Cooperation"

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After completing his visit to San Francisco, United States, President Lee Jae-myung arrived in Brasilia, the capital of Brazil, on the 26th (local time), launching his summit diplomacy tour to three South American countries—Brazil, Chile, and Argentina—aimed at diversifying supply chains for critical minerals, energy, and food. As his first official event, he inspected the Brazilian C-390 military transport aircraft being introduced to Korea.

President Lee Jae-myung, who is on a state visit to Brazil, inspected the C-390 transport aircraft purchased from Brazil's Embraer at the Brasilia Air Force Base on the 26th (local time). He then took a commemorative photo with Air Force pilots and maintenance personnel who are receiving training locally. July 27, 2026 Yonhap News Agency Photo by Yonhap News

President Lee and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung arrived at the Brasilia Air Force Base at around 1 p.m. on the 26th (local time). Stepping out of Air Force One and waving to the crowd, the presidential couple walked down the aircraft stairs arm-in-arm and were greeted by an honor guard lined up along both sides of the red carpet. President Lee then shook hands with dignitaries from both countries, including Thiago Pozzi, Chief of Protocol at Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Fernando Pimentel, Brazilian Ambassador to Korea, before proceeding directly to the C-390 military transport aircraft parked next to Air Force One.

The C-390, developed by Brazil's Embraer, is the model chosen for the Republic of Korea Air Force's second large transport aircraft procurement project. The government plans to acquire three large transport aircraft between 2022 and 2028, investing a total of 883 billion won to enhance the nation’s air transport and peacekeeping operation capabilities. The price per aircraft is 156 million dollars, approximately 234 billion won. The airframe unveiled on this day is the first of three units to be delivered to Korea and also marks the first C-390 that Embraer is sending to Asia. After selecting the model and signing the contract in December 2023, the first unit is scheduled for delivery this December, with the remaining two to follow sequentially by the end of next year.

After receiving a briefing at the rear of the aircraft, President Lee toured the cockpit and interior, checking the cargo capacity, flight time, and in-flight refueling capabilities in detail. The Brazilian representatives explained that the C-390 can carry up to 26 tons of cargo and be used for a variety of missions, including transport, aerial refueling, wildfire suppression, and humanitarian aid. When the Brazilian side said that this project could pave the way for expanded cooperation not only in defense but also in the civil aviation sectors, President Lee suggested, "If possible, let's build commercial aircraft together in the future." The Brazilian representatives replied, "That is exactly our aim. This project lays the foundation for expansive industrial cooperation with the Republic of Korea." President Lee added, "This is the first step in Korea-Brazil defense cooperation, and it is highly significant. Let's work together for even greater collaboration in the future."

President Lee Jae-myung, who paid a state visit to Brazil, inspects the C-390 transport aircraft purchased from Brazil's Embraer for our Air Force at the Brasilia Air Force Base on the 26th (local time). 2026.7.27 Yonhap News Agency

The C-390 project goes beyond simple purchase of completed aircraft. It is being advanced as a mutually beneficial defense industry cooperation model, incorporating the participation of Korean companies in the global aerospace supply chain. At the time of selection, the C-390 was evaluated not only for having performance comparable to the United States’ Lockheed Martin C-130J but also for its lower price and favorable offset agreement. Korean small and medium-sized enterprises will form a consortium to participate in the manufacturing of key components such as the rear fuselage and in aircraft maintenance. The offset transaction is valued at about 135 million dollars. The Brazilian side introduced Korean companies such as CENKOR and ASTK as current participants in Embraer’s global supply chain. After the tour, President Lee joined participants from both countries for a commemorative photo, shouting, “Go Korea! Go Brazil!” together.

Following this, President Lee will carry out a state visit to Brazil at the invitation of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva from today through the 29th. Since taking office, this is the fifth meeting between President Lee and President Lula. President Lula, along with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, is among the foreign leaders President Lee has met most frequently since his inauguration. Their relationship began to deepen at the G7 Summit in Canada last June, where they bonded over their shared background as former teenage workers. During the G7 Summit in Évian, France last month, they had a separate 20-minute conversation before the official meeting.

President Lee Jae-myung and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung, who made a state visit to Brazil, are receiving a salute as they disembark from Air Force One at the Brasilia Air Force Base on the 26th (local time). 2026.7.27 Yonhap News Agency

During the Korea-Brazil summit, discussions are expected to focus on expanding cooperation in the defense industry and aerospace, rare earth elements and other critical minerals, agriculture and food security, and the space sector. Resuming negotiations for a Korea-Mercosur trade agreement is also a major agenda item. Brazil possesses the world's second-largest reserves of rare earth elements after China, giving it strategic value for Korea's efforts to diversify its critical mineral supply chains. President Lee is also scheduled to travel to São Paulo, where he will host a luncheon meeting with the local Korean community and preside over a Korea-Brazil business roundtable.

From the 29th over two days, President Lee will pay an official visit to Chile for a summit with President José Antonio Kast of the new Chilean administration, inaugurated earlier this year. His itinerary includes a banquet with the local Korean community and a wreath-laying ceremony at the statue of Chile’s national hero O’Higgins, as well as the Korea-Chile business roundtable. From the 30th through the 1st of next month, President Lee will become the first Korean president in 22 years to visit Argentina, where he will hold a summit with President Javier Milei, lay a wreath at Plaza San Martín in honor of Argentina’s independence hero, and attend various events with the local Korean community.

Gi Rak Wi, policy chief at the National Security Office, explained in a prior briefing, "We expect that expanding trade and investment, along with market development, with major South American economies—Brazil, Chile, and Argentina—will be possible. This official visit is also significant in that it broadens Korea’s diplomatic horizon into the global south."

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