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South Korean President Lee Jae Myung signs minerals MoU with Argentina
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung made a historic visit to Argentina, the first by a South Korean head of state in 22 years. He met President Javier Milei at the Casa Rosada, where the two leaders signed a memorandum of understanding on critical minerals, focusing on lithium, to promote joint projects across the entire value chain – from exploration to refining. The agreement also includes cooperation on artificial intelligence, energy, food security and the Regime of Incentives for Large Investments (RIGI and Super RIGI), which Lee praised as a catalyst for large‑scale projects.
The summit produced additional economic accords: South Korea will begin regular imports of Argentine crude oil from next year after a trial shipment of 880,000 barrels, and both sides finalized a double‑taxation avoidance treaty to improve investment conditions. They also agreed to restart negotiations on a free‑trade agreement between South Korea and the Mercosur bloc. South Korean steelmaker Posco received RIGI benefits for its Sal de Oro lithium project, a $207.9 million investment.
High‑level delegations from both countries attended, covering ministries of foreign affairs, trade, economy, energy, mining and national security, underscoring the broad scope of the new partnership.
Entities
Argentina · Javier Milei · José Antonio Kast · Korea‑Chile Free Trade Agreement · Lee Jae Myung · Lee Jae‑myung · Mercosur · POSCO · South Korea
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] South Korea aims to diversify its critical‑mineral supply chains and secure lithium for batteries and semiconductors. noticias.perfil.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Korea‑Chile FTA, in force since 2004, has increased trade fourfold but lacks coverage of AI, digital trade and critical minerals.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Argentina holds the world’s fourth‑largest lithium reserves. www.koreaherald.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Lee Jae Myung arrived in Argentina, the first South Korean presidential visit to the country in 22 years. www.seoul.co.kr · www.koreaherald.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] President Lee Jae Myung visited Chile and signed five MOUs, including a mineral‑resources partnership MOU.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Korea and Chile re‑activated the FTA Free Trade Committee after a ten‑year hiatus.
- [● 3 SOURCES] South Korea and Argentina discussed resuming negotiations on a free‑trade agreement between South Korea and Mercosur. www.koreaherald.com · noticias.perfil.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Lee Jae Myung met Argentine President Javier Milei to discuss lithium supply‑chain cooperation and restarting Korea‑Mercosur trade negotiations. www.koreaherald.com · noticias.perfil.com
- [● 8 SOURCES] Lee Jae Myung and Javier Milei signed a memorandum of understanding on critical minerals, especially lithium. elveedordigital.com · revistaplus.com.py · airevision.com.ar · www.cronica.com.ar · www.delabahia.com.ar · +3 more
- [● 3 SOURCES] South Korean President Lee Jae Myung visited Argentina, the first South Korean presidential visit in 22 years. noticias.perfil.com · www.seoul.co.kr · www.koreaherald.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] South Korean steelmaker Posco received RIGI benefits for its Sal de Oro lithium project, a $207.9 million investment. elveedordigital.com · revistaplus.com.py · noticias.perfil.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] South Korea and Argentina discussed resuming stalled Korea‑Mercosur free‑trade agreement negotiations. www.koreaherald.com · noticias.perfil.com · www.seoul.co.kr