South Korea and Italy signed four memorandums of understanding in Rome on Friday, covering advanced technology and joint development projects in Africa, during President Lee Jae Myung's state visit to Italy. The agreements commit both countries to collaborate on artificial intelligence, quantum technology, bioscience and space, overseen by a new joint science and technology committee, while a separate pact targets development initiatives — including agriculture, coffee plantations and digital education — in Uganda, Ethiopia, Egypt and Côte d'Ivoire. The deals build on a summit the previous day in which South Korean and Italian leaders agreed to upgrade bilateral relations to a "special strategic partnership" and adopt a joint action plan running through 2030.