Samsung Chairman Lee Jae-yong, who accompanied President Lee on his state visit to Italy, says, "We need to work even harder"

[Financial News, Rome, Italy = Reporter Choi Jong-geun]After wrapping up a summit with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on the 12th local time, President Lee Jae-myung attended the Korea-Italy Business Roundtable at a hotel in Rome. Lee Jae-yong, Chairman of Samsung Electronics, and Benedetto Vigna, CEO of Ferrari, were among the business leaders from both countries who took part.
Before the event began, Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong spoke with reporters and was asked whether he felt growing interest in South Korea's manufacturing technology overseas. He replied, "We need to work even harder."
Earlier, Lee also attended the state dinner at the presidential palace in Rome on the 11th. He was seen talking with President Lee, Italian President Sergio Mattarella, and Ferrari Chairman John Elkann.
When asked about his ties with John Elkann, Lee said, "We supply displays," adding, "He is not only the chairman of Ferrari, but also the chairman of Stellantis. Stellantis and Samsung SDI are also building a battery joint plant together." Stellantis includes brands such as Peugeot, Chrysler, Citroën, Jeep, Maserati, and Fiat.
As President Lee entered the reception, he immediately spoke at length with Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna and even showed each other their mobile phones. They later took a commemorative photo together.
 
The roundtable was attended by Lee, along with Ryu Jin, chairman of the Federation of Korean Industries; Koo Ja-eun, chairman of LS Group; Cho Hyun-joon, chairman of Hyosung Group; Kim Jung-soo, chairwoman of Samyang Foods; Sung Kim, president of Hyundai Motor Company; Kim Dong-choon, president of LG Chem Ltd.; Choi Soo-yeon, CEO of NAVER; and Moon Jae-young, president of HD Construction Equipment. On the Italian side, participants included Marciai, vice chairman of the Italian Business Federation; Mazzotta, chairman of Fincantieri; Benedetto Vigna, CEO of Ferrari; Petracchini, chairman of Eni; and Simone Dominici, CEO of KIKO Milano.
In his opening remarks, President Lee said, "I believe these two countries are truly ideal partners: Italy, a powerhouse in basic science with creative engineering and design capabilities, and South Korea, a powerhouse in advanced manufacturing with technological innovation capabilities."
Ryu said, "Italy and South Korea are the most ideal industrial partners." He added, "The two countries already have strong supply chain cooperation, and we are also strengthening our security partnership in the defense sector. Now it is time to expand into advanced industries such as artificial intelligence, renewable energy, aviation, space, and robotics."
cjk@fnnews.com Choi Jong-geun Reporter