Seoul: President Lee Jae Myung on Monday praised the "power of culture" during his luncheon meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Lee's remarks came as he and Meloni took part in a luncheon meeting following their summit talks where they agreed to strengthen industrial cooperation in the fields of artificial intelligence, aerospace, semiconductors, and critical minerals.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee noted Prime Minister Meloni's appreciation for K-pop, emphasizing the cultural influence it represents. He began his speech with the Italian greeting "Buongiorno" and highlighted Italy as the "birthplace of global culture and arts." Lee expressed hope for a deepening friendship between the youth of South Korea and Italy through shared interests in food, music, and literature by renowned authors such as Han Kang and Grazia Deledda.

In response, Meloni acknowledged the "smart strategy" behind the success of K-pop and Korean culture, emphasizing their unique blend of global and South Korean features. She also referred to the Korean concept of "jeong," describing it as a special bond of friendship that characterizes the relationship between South Korea and Italy.

The luncheon venue was adorned with symbols and landmarks from both countries, including South Korea's Gwanghwamun and Namsan Tower, alongside Italy's Colosseum and the Tower of Pisa. The decor featured flowers and desserts in red, white, and green, reflecting the Italian national flag colors, and guests were served a dumpling soup with dumplings folded in the shape of Italian pasta ravioli.

During the luncheon, President Lee presented Prime Minister Meloni with a pink Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 phone as a surprise gift. Meloni, whose favorite color is pink, suggested taking a selfie with the phone on the spot, as confirmed by Cheong Wa Dae.