"South Korea and Italy Are the Best Partners for Advanced Industries" ... Also Emphasizes Korean Peninsula Peace

Cardinal Lazarus You Heung-sik, prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy, is shown on the right at the "Special Mass for Peace and Solidarity" held on the 14th local time at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls in Rome, Italy. Yonhap News. ROME, Italy — Financial News = Reporter Choi Jong-geun] President Lee Jae-myung, who is on his first European trip to attend the Group of Seven (G7) summit, is stepping up economic diplomacy. During a state visit to Italy, he attended a business roundtable that brought together top executives from both countries and stressed the need to expand cooperation in advanced industries such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors and supply chain restructuring. Samsung Electronics Chairman Jay Y.
Lee also said, "Italy is a special country for Samsung," lending support to efforts to broaden economic ties between the two countries. President Lee then attended the "Special Mass for Peace and Solidarity" at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome on the 14th local time, saying he hoped to create a virtuous cycle in which peace on the Korean Peninsula leads to world peace. According to Cheong Wa Dae, President Lee attended a business roundtable held at a hotel in downtown Rome after his summit with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on the 12th local time. He said, "Italy, a powerhouse in basic science with creative engineering and design capabilities, and the Republic of Korea, a powerhouse in advanced manufacturing with technological innovation capabilities, are the best partners.
" He emphasized that, at a time of major industrial transformation driven by the AI revolution, supply chain restructuring and the energy transition, the two countries can combine technology, design and manufacturing strengths to create a new model of cooperation. The connection between Samsung and Ferrari, the two countries' flagship companies, also drew strong attention. Chairman Jay Y. Lee said, "Italy is a special country for Samsung," adding, "The Milan furniture fair and other events have been an amazing source of inspiration for Samsung, and Samsung's chief design officer is also from Italy. " The CDO he referred to is world-renowned designer Mauro Porcini, who joined Samsung Electronics last year.
He also said, "If Italy, a science powerhouse, and Korea, a leader in technological innovation, join forces, cooperation can expand across a wide range of advanced industries. " His ties with Ferrari were also naturally highlighted. When asked by reporters about his relationship with Ferrari Chairman John Elkann, Jay Y. Lee replied, "We supply displays.
" He added, "Chairman Elkann is not only the head of Ferrari but also chairman of Stellantis, and Stellantis and Samsung SDI are also building a battery joint venture together. " Jay Y. Lee and John Elkann have been friends for 27 years, and their relationship is said to be close enough that Jay Y. Lee once served as an outside director at Ferrari.
Korean business leaders who attended the Business Roundtable also said they would take the lead in promoting cooperation between the two countries. LS Group Chairman Koo Ja-eun highlighted recent achievements in collaboration with Italy and said, "We will work to produce tangible results in the power infrastructure sector with Italy, which has the importance of a 'Mediterranean hub' connecting North Africa and Europe. " Hyosung Group Chairman Cho Hyun-joon also cited examples of cooperation in fashion and finance, saying, "We will expand cooperation in areas such as eco-friendly materials and energy infrastructure to contribute to the economic development of both countries. " Samyang Foods Chair Kim Jung-soo mentioned joint research and development aimed at improving the taste and quality of noodle products from Korea, such as ramen, and Italy, such as pasta.
Meanwhile, President Lee began his Vatican schedule in earnest by attending the special Mass at St. Peter's Basilica on the 14th. In a commemorative address at the "Special Mass for Peace and Solidarity" presided over by Cardinal Lazarus You Heung-sik, the first Korean to be appointed prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy, he said, "We will do everything we can to build a sustainable peace regime beyond the armistice. " He also stressed, "I hope we can work together to create a virtuous cycle in which peace on the Korean Peninsula leads to world peace, and global solidarity in turn strengthens peace on the Korean Peninsula.
" President Lee said, "North and South Korea, which once spoke of peace and prosperity together, have returned to an era of division and confrontation. The channels of communication that connected the two Koreas have been closed, and distrust and tension remain. " He added, "But the people of the Republic of Korea have never lost faith in peace and democracy despite countless trials and hardships, and they have overcome them firmly. " He went on to say, "Twenty-six years ago, on June 15, the North and South sat down together for the first time since division and issued the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration.
It was a historic turning point that showed the world the possibility of dialogue and cooperation beyond long-standing hostility and tension. " He added, "Since then, reunions of separated families, humanitarian cooperation, exchanges and visits have continued, opening a new door of hope for peace on the Korean Peninsula. I am still convinced that the spark of that hope is alive. " President Lee will meet Pope Leo XIV and Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's secretary of state, on the 15th.
" President Lee said, "North and South Korea, which once spoke of peace and prosperity together, have returned to an era of division and confrontation. The channels of communication that connected the two Koreas have been closed, and distrust and tension remain. " He added, "But the people of the Republic of Korea have never lost faith in peace and democracy despite countless trials and hardships, and they have overcome them firmly. " He went on to say, "Twenty-six years ago, on June 15, the North and South sat down together for the first time since division and issued the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration.
It will be the first visit by a South Korean president to the Holy See since Pope Leo XIV's inauguration last May, about a year ago.
" President Lee said, "North and South Korea, which once spoke of peace and prosperity together, have returned to an era of division and confrontation. The channels of communication that connected the two Koreas have been closed, and distrust and tension remain. " He added, "But the people of the Republic of Korea have never lost faith in peace and democracy despite countless trials and hardships, and they have overcome them firmly. " He went on to say, "Twenty-six years ago, on June 15, the North and South sat down together for the first time since division and issued the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration.
cjk@fnnews.com Choi Jong-geun Reporter