Brazil and South Korea may be embarking on a new understanding when it comes to trade, technology and key minerals. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung held summit talks in Seoul on Monday with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, where they agreed to expand cooperation in sectors including trade, key minerals, technology and culture.
“Peace, built on conditions where conflict isn’t needed, is the strongest form of security,” the South Korean president told a joint press conference.
The leaders oversaw the signing of 10 memorandums of understanding spanning trade and industrial policy, core minerals, digital economy including AI, agriculture, health and biotech, small-business exchanges and joint policing against cybercrime, narcotics and other transnational threats.
Economic cooperation was a central focus. Brazil is South Korea’s largest trading partner in South America, with annual trade exceeding $10 billion. The leaders pledged to expand trade and investment and to deepen collaboration in critical sectors such as key minerals, high‑tech industries, and cultural exchange.
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A major outcome of the summit was the signing of 10 memorandums of understanding covering trade and industrial policy, digital economy and artificial intelligence, agriculture, health and biotechnology, and cooperation in cybersecurity. The two governments also adopted a four-year action plan (2026–2029) to guide future collaboration in politics, economy, science and technology, and people-to-people exchanges.
In addition to trade and technology, discussions included cooperation in space, defense industries, small- and medium-sized enterprises, and food security. Both leaders emphasized the benefits of stronger bilateral ties and expressed a shared commitment to working together on supposed global issues, including peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, which reflects their stated intentions but may involve broader geopolitical outcomes that are uncertain.
The summit marked a significant deepening of South Korea–Brazil relations, demonstrating a strategic vision that goes beyond traditional economic engagement to encompass technology, culture, and global cooperation.
In a message posted to X earlier in the day, Lee welcomed Lula, who is in Seoul for his first state visit in 21 years, pointing out the similarities in their backgrounds.
“As a former child labourer, you proved with your whole life that democracy is the most powerful tool for social and economic progress,” Lee wrote.
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“I support your life, your struggle and your achievements, which will remain forever in the history of global democracy.”
Beyond immediate economic gains, the dialogue reflects a shared ambition to foster innovation, sustainable development, and resilience across multiple sectors. By emphasizing technology, minerals, and cultural exchange, both nations are positioning themselves to respond effectively to global economic shifts and emerging opportunities in high-tech and resource-driven industries.
This partnership also highlights the role of leadership in shaping international relationships. The personal rapport between the two presidents, rooted in their experiences and commitments to social progress, reinforces the potential for a cooperative framework that extends beyond transactional agreements. It signals a willingness to explore solutions collaboratively, not just bilaterally, but also in ways that may influence regional and global trends in trade, science, and governance, which remain uncertain.