Lee Jae-myung Welcomes Lula da Silva with State Visit & ‘Chimaek’ Diplomacy
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung extended the highest level of diplomatic protocol to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva during a state visit on February 23, 2026. The visit, marked by a formal welcoming ceremony, a state dinner and an informal “chimaek” (chicken and beer) gathering, underscored a commitment to strengthening ties between the two nations.
A Display of Close Ties
President Lee personally greeted President Lula at the Cheong Wa Dae (Blue House) main garden. The two leaders exchanged embraces and a brief shoulder pat upon arrival. Prior to the ceremony, President Lee publicly expressed his anticipation on social media, referring to President Lula as his “eternal comrade.” This meeting followed a previous encounter at the G20 summit in South Africa three months prior, in November of 2025.
Elaborate Ceremonial Welcome
The scale of the welcoming ceremony mirrored that of the 2017 state visit by then-U.S. President Donald Trump, according to Cheong Wa Dae officials. The event featured a 280-member traditional honour guard, including a 70-member military band, and a welcoming group of 25 children.
Culinary Diplomacy and Cultural Exchange
The state dinner showcased a fusion of Brazilian and Korean cuisine. Chef Yoo Yong-wook, known for his appearance on a Netflix program, prepared a Brazilian-style beef skewer. Other dishes included appetizers featuring Brazilian mangoes and East Sea crab. The toast was made with a cocktail incorporating cachaça, Brazil’s national spirit.
Following the dinner, a more relaxed “chimaek” gathering took place. This event highlighted the significant trade relationship between the two countries, specifically the large volume of Brazilian chicken imports into South Korea. The evening concluded with a performance featuring a recitation of “Hand in Hand,” a poem by Brazilian poet Carlos Drummond de Andrade, a favourite of President Lula.
Symbolic Gift Exchange
The gifts exchanged between the presidents were carefully chosen to reflect their personal interests and backgrounds. President Lula, a former labor activist and soccer enthusiast, received a Korean national soccer team jersey and an English translation of the biography of Jeon Tae-il, a Korean labor activist. He also received Korean cosmetics and a “hojakdo,” a traditional painting symbolizing longevity.
First Lady Rosangela da Silva received a Samsung mobile phone with her name engraved, beauty devices, and a traditional Korean hanbok cape. A dog-sized gat (traditional Korean hat) was included, acknowledging her ownership of three dogs. The presidential couple also received a gluten-free flower-shaped rice cake and a cake decorated with their likeness as a welcome gift upon arrival at their lodging.
This state visit marks President Lee’s first state-level reception since returning to office, adding to its symbolic importance. The leaders’ interactions, from the initial embrace to the concluding chimaek, aimed to demonstrate both political alignment and cultural understanding.
Frequently Asked Questions
What level of protocol was afforded to President Lula?
President Lula was given the highest level of protocol, including a formal welcoming ceremony with a 280-member honour guard, a state dinner, and a “chimaek” gathering.
What was the significance of the gifts exchanged?
The gifts were chosen to reflect the personal interests and backgrounds of both presidents and their spouses, symbolizing a thoughtful and personalized approach to diplomacy.
When did Presidents Lee and Lula last meet?
Presidents Lee and Lula last met three months prior to the state visit, in November 2025, at the G20 summit in South Africa.
Given the emphasis on strengthening ties through both formal diplomacy and cultural exchange, what impact might this visit have on future trade and political collaborations between South Korea and Brazil?