Lee Declares 2026 as First Year for Advancing Korea-Brazil Ties... Expanding Cooperation in Core Minerals, Defense, and Space

Korea and Brazil Adopt Joint Statement at Presidential Summit
Joint Press Briefing Held After Summit
High-Level "Economic and Trade Committee" Officially Launched
Expanded Cooperation in Aerospace and Semiconductors
Broad Consensus on

President Lee Jae-myung, who is on a state visit to Brazil, held a summit with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on the 27th (local time) and declared this year as "the inaugural year for elevating the Korea-Brazil strategic partnership." The two leaders agreed to expand cooperation across economic security and advanced future industries, including critical mineral supply chains, energy, defense, aerospace, and semiconductors.

President Lee Jae-myung and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva held a joint press conference at the Presidential Palace in Brasilia on the 27th (local time). 2026.7.28 Yonhap News Agency

After their summit at the Alvorada Palace in Brasilia that day, President Lee announced in a joint press statement, "Building on the 'Four-Year Action Plan' in February, we have adopted a joint statement, further substantiating the future vision of bilateral cooperation." This marks the first state visit to Brazil by a Korean president in 11 years. The visit is also a reciprocal gesture following President Lula’s state visit to Korea in February.

President Lee described Brazil as the world's 11th-largest economy and a core axis for global supply chains and food security, and noted that the summit produced results in five areas: economic cooperation and supply chains, advanced industries, cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and coordination in the international community. As a first step, the two countries will formally launch the "Economic and Trade Committee," a high-level consultative body for industry and trade, expanding cooperation beyond trade and investment to include defense, aerospace, critical minerals, and the digital economy.

The memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed during the summit for industrial technology cooperation includes strengthening collaboration in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, automobiles, shipbuilding, batteries, the bioeconomy, sustainable fuels, and industrial decarbonization. President Lee stated, "This MOU on industrial technology cooperation will become an important foundation for enhancing the industrial competitiveness of both countries."

Critical minerals and energy were identified as key pillars of Korea-Brazil economic security cooperation. Brazil possesses significant reserves of minerals such as nickel, lithium, and rare earth elements, while Korea is seeking to diversify supply chains for raw materials needed in advanced industries like batteries and semiconductors. Both leaders agreed on the need to expand cooperation between businesses and institutions throughout the entire supply chain, including mineral development, refining, processing, and recycling.

President Lee stated, "Based on the strengths of both countries, we look forward to strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation and ensuring a stable supply of raw materials for our companies." An MOU for energy cooperation was also concluded. The two countries agreed to strengthen policy and technology cooperation in energy transition fields such as renewable energy, power grids, smart grids, and energy efficiency, while also seeking joint projects.

Defense and aerospace cooperation will be taken to the next level. The countries plan to launch a Joint Defense Committee in the second half of this year and pursue the signing of an "Agreement on the Protection and Exchange of Military and Defense Classified Information." If concluded, this agreement will enable an institutional framework for expanded technological and information exchange in the defense sector. President Lee cited the C-390 transport aircraft by Brazil's Embraer, which the Korean Air Force is scheduled to acquire in the second half of the year, as a representative case of cooperation. Korean-manufactured components will also be used in these transport aircraft.

President Lee stated, "The inclusion of Korean companies' components in the C-390 transport aircraft is a symbolic example of defense cooperation between our countries," adding, "I ask for special attention and support so that our diverse defense equipment with proven capabilities will also be recognized for their value in Brazil, the largest defense power in Latin America."

President Lee Jae-myung is speaking at the joint Korea-Brazil press conference with Luis Inacio Lula da Silva, President of Brazil, held at the Presidential Residence in Brasilia on the 27th (local time). 2026.7.28 Yonhap News Agency

In the space sector, a memorandum of understanding was signed to simplify procedures for Korean private companies to use Brazilian launch facilities. The two countries agreed to reduce overlapping regulations regarding launch authorizations and share satellite data such as satellite photography and video. Further cooperation will also be sought in lunar exploration and the space industry. The Korean government plans to revise relevant domestic regulations within the second half of the year to reduce administrative costs and launch waiting times when Korean companies use Brazilian launch sites.

President Lee emphasized, "By streamlining private launch procedures and expanding cooperation to include satellite data sharing and space exploration, this will lay the foundation for both countries to open up the future space era together."

Semiconductor cooperation was also on the summit agenda. The two leaders agreed to support Korean participation in Brazil's semiconductor industry as a win-win model to simultaneously enhance Brazil’s industrial competitiveness and secure a reliable production base for Korean firms.

In cultural and educational fields, an institutional foundation has been established to broaden connections between the peoples of both countries. The two countries signed MOUs on film and sports cooperation and on educational cooperation, and will promote joint film productions, exchanges of athletes and instructors, and expansion of Korean language education in regular Brazilian schools. A cooperative document in the field of education has been signed for the first time in 60 years since the 1966 Korea-Brazil Cultural Agreement. The two countries will also share policies and promote cooperation in technical and vocational education, higher education, and AI and digital education, as well as expand teacher and student exchanges. President Lee said he will also support the local entry of K-beauty and K-food, leveraging the growing popularity of Korean culture in Brazil.

Cooperation in the international community will also be strengthened. The leaders exchanged views on major global challenges, including international peace and security, peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia, AI, and responding to climate change. President Lee stated, "Our government's philosophy is that creating peace that makes wars unnecessary is the most certain and robust form of security, rather than security based solely on the ability to win wars, and President Lula deeply agreed with this philosophy."

President Lee Jae-myung and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva are seen conversing at the signing ceremony held at the Presidential Palace in Brasília on the 27th (local time). 2026.7.28 Yonhap News Agency

During the summit, Brazil expressed its support for the Korean government’s efforts toward denuclearization and establishing permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula. President Lee expressed his appreciation for Brazil's role in leading denuclearization in Latin America. The two leaders concurred that a trade agreement between Korea and Mercosur, the South American common market, is a pressing issue that can no longer be delayed.

President Lee stated, "A Korea-Mercosur trade agreement will provide Korean companies with new opportunities to enter the South American common market and will offer Brazilian companies new opportunities to access the Asian market via Korea." He went on to emphasize, "Beyond trade, expanding cooperation to include advanced industries, supply chains, and the digital and green economies will lay the foundation for the two countries to advance as true strategic partners."

President Lee concluded by quoting the Brazilian proverb "A união faz a força (Unity makes strength)," saying, "If we connect our strengths, the distance across the Pacific will no longer be a limitation but rather a space of possibilities for creating new opportunities."

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