Korea-Brazil summit (February 2026)

At their bilateral summit held at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on Feb. 23, President Lee Jae Myung and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva agreed to upgrade bilateral ties forged in 1959 to the level of a strategic partnership. Both sides adopted a joint four-year action plan (2026-29) as a blueprint for future cooperation.

Korea-Italy summit (January 2026)

President Lee Jae Myung on Jan. 19 in a summit with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at Cheong Wa Dae agreed to expand bilateral cooperation focused on cutting-edge sectors like semiconductors and artificial intelligence and the defense industry.

On economic cooperation, they pledged to expand trade and investment and revive a bilateral business forum with companies from both countries to create more opportunities and resolve corporate difficulties. They will also jointly develop and support small and medium enterprises based on Italy's well-established ecosystem for such businesses.

Korea-Japan summit (January 2026)

President Lee Jae Myung and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Jan. 13 pledged future-oriented cooperation for the development of bilateral relations, peace on the Korean Peninsula and regional stability during their bilateral summit in Nara Prefecture, Japan. In a joint news release, the two leaders agreed to expand cooperation from its focus on trade to economic security, science and technology, and solutions to social issues.

• Current Affairs President Lee's visit to Nara, Japan

Korea-China summit (January 2026)

President Lee Jae Myung, on a state visit to China, on Jan. 5 attended a bilateral summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping on methods of raising bilateral cooperation and regional security affairs such as the Korean Peninsula. "This summit will serve as a crucial opportunity to make 2026 the first year of fully restored relations between Korea and China," President Lee said.

• Current Affairs President Lee's state visit to China

Korea-Laos summit (December 2025)

President Lee Jae Myung on Dec. 15 hosted a summit at his office in Seoul with Laotian President Thongloun Sisoulith, whose official visit marked the 30th anniversary of the reestablishment of diplomatic ties. They upgraded bilateral relations to a comprehensive partnership that will expand cooperation in sectors like infrastructure and core minerals.

Korea-Turkiye (Turkey) summit (November 2025)

President Lee Jae Myung and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Nov. 24 agreed to bolster cooperation in sectors like the defense industry, nuclear power plants and renewable energy in their bilateral talks at the Presidential Complex in Ankara.

• Current Affairs President Lee's trip to 4 Mideastern, African states

Korea-France summit (November 2025)

President Lee Jae Myung on Nov. 22 held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the G20 summit in South Africa, discussing cooperation ahead of the 140th anniversary of their bilateral relations next year. "Next year marks the 140th anniversary of bilateral relations," President Lee said. "I know that you couldn't visit Korea in September as planned, so I hope you definitely visit next year."

• Current Affairs President Lee's trip to 4 Mideastern, African states

Korea-Germany summit (November 2025)

President Lee Jae Myung on Nov. 22 held talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on the sidelines of the G20 summit in South Africa. The two leaders agreed that their two countries, both global manufacturing powers that share a history of division, should boost relations by focusing on areas of common interest such as cooperation in energy and key minerals.

• Current Affairs President Lee's trip to 4 Mideastern, African states

Korea-UAE summit (November 2025)

President Lee Jae Myung, on a state visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), on Nov. 18 attended a bilateral summit with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the latter's presidential palace Qasr Al-Watan in Abu Dhabi. The two leaders adopted a joint statement on "A New Leap toward a Shared Journey for the Next Century" between both sides.

• Current Affairs President Lee's trip to 4 Mideastern, African states

Korea-Singapore summit (November 2025)

President Lee Jae Myung and Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Nov. 2 agreed to elevate bilateral relations to a strategic partnership and boost cooperation in economy and national security. Singapore also agreed to import Jeju Island's beef and pork for the first time.