South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva held summit talks in Seoul on Monday, agreeing to broaden cooperation across trade, critical minerals, technology, culture and security. The two leaders announced plans to upgrade bilateral relations to a strategic partnership and pledged joint efforts to support stability on the Korean Peninsula. Speaking at a joint press conference, Lee emphasized that lasting peace is the strongest form of security when built on conditions that prevent conflict.
During the visit, the countries signed 10 memorandums of understanding covering areas such as industrial policy, rare-earth minerals, the digital economy including artificial intelligence, agriculture, health and biotechnology, small-business collaboration, and joint policing against cybercrime, narcotics and other transnational threats. The leaders also adopted a four-year action plan outlining cooperation in strategic minerals, defence, space industries and food security. Brazil, South Korea’s largest trading partner in South America, highlighted its vast rare-earth and nickel reserves and invited investment from Korean companies.
Lula’s trip marks his first state visit to South Korea in 21 years. Lee welcomed him warmly, noting their shared backgrounds of hardship and praising Lula’s life story as a testament to democracy’s power for social and economic progress. The talks were held at the presidential Blue House, hosting its first major official ceremony since Lee moved his office back there. A state banquet featuring Korean barbecue and Brazilian bossa nova performances was scheduled to conclude the day’s events.
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