President Lee Jae-myung spent time building rapport on the 19th with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who made an official visit to Korea, taking an impromptu selfie together. Earlier, Lee also took a selfie with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Kang Yu-jung, the presidential office Spokesperson, said in a written briefing that afternoon that "Lee gave Prime Minister Meloni a surprise gift of a pink Samsung Electronics Galaxy Z Flip 7," adding, "Pink is Meloni's favorite color." She added, "The two leaders took a selfie together with the smartphone and talked in a friendly atmosphere."
This was not Lee's first time taking a selfie. During his state visit to China, Lee took a selfie with a Xiaomi smartphone that Xi gifted in Nov. last year. The idea was reportedly proposed by Lee himself during preparations for the summit.
At the luncheon, Meloni's love of K-pop also drew attention. Meloni had introduced her then-9-year-old daughter Ginevra as an avid K-pop fan when she met Lee in Sept. last year.
When she arrived at Seoul Air Base on the 17th, Meloni was also seen holding a Blackpink light stick in one hand. Her daughter Ginevra, who accompanied her, was likewise spotted wearing a Blackpink cap.
Meanwhile, the presidential office showed careful attention to detail at the luncheon venue by depicting symbols of Korea, such as Gwanghwamun and Namsan Tower, alongside symbols of Italy, such as the Colosseum and the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The tables were decorated with red, white and green flowers to match the colors of the Italian flag, and snacks included seaweed chips, glutinous rice chips and red koji rice chips in the three colors.
For the luncheon menu, rice cake and dumpling soup was served with dumplings shaped like ravioli, Italy's representative pasta. For the toast, the Italian wine "Cantina Zaccagnini" was used.
During the meal, "Nella Fantasia," composed by Italian composer Ennio Morricone, and songs by Michael Jackson, reflecting Meloni's taste, were performed.