By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo

The Italian Embassy in Korea successfully concluded the commemoration ceremony for the 79th anniversary of the proclamation of the Italian Republic on June 2.

Over 300 prominent figures from Korea and Italy, including Kim Hee-sang, Director-General for Economic Diplomacy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Lee Han-kyung, Vice Minister for Safety at the Ministry of Interior and Safety, as well as representatives from the political, business, academic, scientific, and cultural sectors, attended the event held at the Italian Embassy residence.

The Italian Republic Day is an important event that commemorates the values that form the foundation of Italy, such as democracy, equality, the rule of law, and freedom, and promotes exchanges between South Korea and Italy.

In particular, this year's event was a meaningful occasion commemorating the Year of Mutual Cultural Exchange between South Korea and Italy, designated following the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2024.

Emilia Gatto, Italian Ambassador to South Korea, highlighted “parliamentary diplomacy” and “city diplomacy” as the embassy's top priorities at the event. Ambassador Gatto emphasized that strengthening human exchanges is important for strengthening relations between the two countries, and that cooperation between local governments is the cornerstone for this.

Amb. Gatto then announced that the first Korea-Italy Business Forum will be held in Korea in September, based on the increasingly active exchanges between the two countries. The forum will focus on cutting-edge technological cooperation in fields such as aerospace, AI-ICT, biotechnology, and semiconductors.