UNJournal Lee Sung Jun | President Lee Jae Myung of the Republic of Korea paid a state visit to Brazil from 26 to 29 July 2026 at the invitation of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, reciprocating Lula's visit to Korea in February of this year. Lee was accompanied by ministers, senior officials and a large delegation of business executives, in a visit that both leaders described as reflecting positive momentum in bilateral relations built through five meetings over just over a year.
The visit followed the historic elevation of Korea-Brazil relations to a Strategic Partnership, agreed during Lula's February visit to Seoul. Both leaders committed to fully implementing the Action Plan to Implement the Brazil-Korea Strategic Partnership 2026-2029, adopted at that time, and reaffirmed shared commitments to democracy, human rights, multilateralism, social inclusion and sustainable development.
Trade and economic cooperation
Trade featured prominently in the talks. The two leaders reaffirmed goals to diversify trade composition and deepen integration of industrial supply chains between Brazilian and Korean companies. They welcomed the first virtual meeting of the Commission on Economic and Trade Relations, held 10 July under the bilateral Arrangement on Trade and Productive Integration, which addressed industrial cooperation, critical mineral supply chains, sanitary standards, the digital economy and trade facilitation.
The leaders also agreed to announce the resumption of Korea-MERCOSUR Trade Agreement negotiations at the upcoming 69th MERCOSUR Summit, pending consent from other MERCOSUR members, and to establish a joint working group to prepare for the resumed talks.
On agricultural trade, the two sides reiterated commitments on Brazilian beef and pork access to the Korean market, agreeing to complete risk assessment steps for beef, beginning with a technical audit mission by Korean authorities to Brazil in August, and to continue working toward expanded pork access from additional Brazilian states.
Investment, industry and technology
The leaders encouraged the use of bilateral financing mechanisms, including Brazil's Eco Invest program, to advance projects in sustainable infrastructure, energy transition, health, semiconductors, mobility and digital transformation. They welcomed a Brazil-Korea Business Round Table held in São Paulo and progress on cooperation involving small and medium-sized enterprises and start-ups under a memorandum signed in February.
In the defense and aerospace sector, the leaders recalled Korea's selection of Embraer's C-390 aircraft, the first such selection in Asia, and welcomed related industrial cooperation. They instructed officials to begin negotiations on an agreement for the exchange and protection of military classified information, and agreed to expand cooperation in space, including satellite data sharing and lunar exploration.
Critical minerals, including rare earths, were identified as a priority area, with both sides encouraging companies and institutions to pursue joint projects in prospecting, processing and research and development.
Sustainability and science
The leaders recognized Brazil's Tropical Forest Forever Facility as a mechanism for mobilizing long-term environmental financing and committed to further dialogue on Korean participation. They also reiterated support for a proposed South Atlantic Whale Sanctuary under the International Whaling Commission.
On science and technology, the two countries reaffirmed plans to deepen cooperation in semiconductors, artificial intelligence and biotechnology, and welcomed the resumption of meetings under the Brazil-Korea Joint Commission on Science and Technology. Cooperation in health, including vaccine research, medical devices and digital health, was also welcomed.
International affairs
On global issues, the leaders called for reform of the United Nations Security Council to improve representation from underrepresented regions, including Latin America and the Caribbean and Asia-Pacific. They reaffirmed that it was time for a national of a Latin American or Caribbean state to serve as UN Secretary-General for the first time in 35 years, and noted that a woman has never held the post.
The two sides expressed concern over the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and its impact on freedom of navigation and global trade, calling for protection of crews and vessels and a negotiated resolution. They also expressed concern over the continuing conflict in Ukraine, calling for a just and lasting peace under international law.
On the Korean Peninsula, Brazil reaffirmed support for Korea's efforts to resume inter-Korean dialogue and pursue phased denuclearization alongside expanded exchanges and normalized relations.
During the visit, the two governments adopted bilateral instruments spanning education, industrial technology, sports, space, critical minerals, energy, audiovisual cooperation and network security. The leaders tasked Brazil's vice president and Korea's Director of National Policy with identifying further practical measures to strengthen coordination across all areas of the partnership.
