South Korea and Brazil to Deepen Cooperation with Lula’s State Visit

Seoul, South Korea – South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva are set to hold summit talks on Monday, marking a significant step in strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two nations. Lula’s visit represents his first state visit to South Korea in 21 years.

Lula’s Arrival and Agenda

President Lula arrived in Seoul on Sunday and was greeted by First Lady Kim Hea Kyung. The two First Ladies visited Gwangjang Market, a prominent traditional market in Seoul, where they explored silk fabrics for hanbok, traditional Korean clothing and selected matching traditional Korean rings, according to the presidential office.

The summit agenda is expected to cover a broad range of topics, including trade, investment, climate change, energy, space cooperation, the defense industry, science and technology, agriculture, education, cultural exchange, and increased people-to-people interactions.

Building on Existing Rapport

This meeting follows a previous encounter between President Lee and President Lula on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit in Kananaskis, Canada, in June 2025. During that meeting, the two leaders established a personal connection by sharing experiences of overcoming challenges faced during their youth. Both Lee and Lula have backgrounds working in factories and have experienced workplace injuries.

President Lee initially extended the invitation for a state visit during the Group of 20 summit in South Africa in November.

Strategic Partnership

Since establishing diplomatic relations in 1959, Brazil has become South Korea’s largest trading partner in South America. The upcoming memorandum of understanding, to be signed following the summit, is expected to formalize and expand this strategic partnership. A state banquet will too be held in honor of President Lula’s visit.