Italy-South Korea – Axis on Chips, Defense, and Space

Rome – The bilateral relations between Italy and South Korea are making a historic leap forward. During the summit held at Villa Doria Pamphilj between Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung – who was later received at the Quirinale by the Head of State Sergio Mattarella – the 2026-2030 Action Plan was officially signed.

The agreement elevates the relationship between the two nations to a "special strategic partnership," outlining comprehensive cooperation ranging from high technology to global geopolitical balances.

The Pillars of the New Agreement

The Action Plan is structured around eight fundamental points, accompanied by the signing of four specific agreements dedicated to: development cooperation, advanced science and technology, information and communication, and a focus on the social economy and SMEs.

Among the crucial sectors of the new Rome-Seoul axis are:

• Semiconductors and Automotive: A joint committee will be established to secure supply chains of critical raw materials and develop solutions for the future of mobility.
• Defense and Security: Joint initiatives for their respective industries, with particular attention to underwater domain security.
• Technological Innovation: Close collaborations on artificial intelligence, space, energy, and research, including energy efficiency for data centers.

Key figures from the Italian executive, including ministers Anna Maria Bernini (University) and Adolfo Urso (Enterprises), participated in the signing of the agreements.

The Economic Weight of the Rome-Seoul Axis

The agreement is based on already extremely solid commercial foundations. South Korea represents for Italy the fourth commercial partner in Asia and the first per capita for Italian exports.

Currently, about 120 Italian companies operate on South Korean territory, generating a turnover of 3.2 billion euros. The Italian government has included Korea among the high-potential states for export, aiming to further expand already attractive markets such as luxury, fashion, and cosmetics.

Geopolitics: From the Indo-Pacific to the Mattei Plan

Beyond commercial exchanges, the summit has a strong political significance. The two leaders shared a commitment to keep their focus on the Indo-Pacific and the Strait of Hormuz, working to ensure freedom and security of navigation.

The cooperation will also extend multilaterally and in third areas:

• UN Reform: Rome and Seoul will coordinate their efforts within the United Nations, sharing participation in the Uniting for Consensus group to promote a more effective and responsive Security Council to contemporary challenges.
• Africa and Mattei Plan: Joint projects in Africa are planned, involving the mobility of researchers and experts within the Mattei Plan.
• Synergy with the G7: The goal is to strengthen the partnership to support international trade based on rules and the resilience of supply chains.

In a complex international phase, marked by the recent cooling of relations between Beijing and Brussels, the axis between Italy and South Korea proposes itself as a pillar of stability, aimed at "promoting peace, stability, and prosperity" in crucial strategic scenarios.