Italian President Mattarella urges UN support during South Korean state visit

Italian President Sergio Mattarella addressed the Quirinale ceremony marking the state visit of South Korean President Lee Jae Myung. He said Italy and South Korea share a common inspiration as “convincing supporters of international legality and the universality of human rights,” and called for a stronger, more representative United Nations.

Mattarella warned that “the difficulties and risks to international security and wellbeing are evident today,” citing the war in Ukraine, ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and the Gulf, tensions in the Indo‑Pacific, the plight of the Myanmar population, and border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia. He urged dialogue and cooperation, emphasizing the importance of regional groupings such as ASEAN, and described the UN as an “irreplaceable bulwark against the predominance of force” in international relations.