Brazil’s Lula to Visit South Korea for the First Time in 21 Years, Accompanied by 230 Local Companies

[Financial News] For the first time since the South Korean government relocated the presidential office, a Brazilian head of state will pay a state visit to the Blue House, accompanied by representatives from about 230 Brazilian companies.

In a press release issued on the 13th (local time), Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will pay a state visit to South Korea from the 22nd to the 24th. During his stay, it stated, “The Brazil–Korea Business Forum will be held in Seoul.” The ministry added, “Around 230 Brazilian companies are expected to take part in the forum, creating an opportunity to broaden cooperation in economic and trade-related areas.”
The forum will feature thematic panels on areas where Brazil has competitive strength, including strategic minerals, as well as artificial intelligence, agriculture, the creative economy, and cosmetics. The Brazilian foreign ministry also signaled that during this visit President Lula and President Lee Jae-myung plan to adopt a three-year plan for 2026–2029 aimed at upgrading bilateral relations.
The Brazilian government stated, “From an economic and financial perspective, South Korea is one of Brazil’s key partner countries,” emphasizing that “President Lula’s visit will both consolidate the friendly relationship between the two leaders and symbolize the importance of a bilateral partnership that has lasted for more than 60 years.” It added, “We seek to tap our vast potential and deepen ties with important countries such as South Korea.”
Earlier, on the 12th, the Blue House announced that President Lula will pay a state visit to South Korea from the 22nd for three days and two nights at the invitation of President Lee.
On the second day of President Lula’s visit, the 23rd, the two leaders are scheduled to hold a summit, attend a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signing ceremony, and participate in a state banquet. A Brazilian president is visiting South Korea for the first time in 21 years, since President Lula’s previous state visit in 2005. First Lady Rosângela da Silva, President Lula’s wife, drew attention in South Korea when she met with the Korean community on the 9th and later posted a photo of herself wearing hanbok on social media.
According to the Blue House, the summit will explore ways to further strengthen practical cooperation across a wide range of areas so that bilateral relations can be elevated to a higher level. The agenda will include trade and investment, climate, energy, space, defense industry, science and technology, agriculture, education and culture, and people-to-people exchanges.


pjw@fnnews.com Park Jong-won Reporter