South Korea and Italy share a history that reaches beyond modern diplomacy, fashion, food, and entertainment. Discover seven (7) fascinating facts about little-known people, historical encounters, and humanitarian efforts that helped connect these two countries across centuries.
Their shared history includes a nineteenth-century diplomatic encounter, an Italian consul who photographed everyday Korean life, an Italian medical mission during the Korean War, and individuals who devoted their lives to helping vulnerable people in Korea.
Let's explore seven curious and sometimes overlooked facts about the relationship between South Korea and Italy!
1. An Italian Ship Visited Korea in 1866—Before Official Diplomatic Relations Existed
Long before South Korea became a republic, the Korean Peninsula was governed by the Joseon dynasty and, later, the Korean Empire.
According to the history published by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Italy, one early encounter occurred in August 1866. An Italian naval officer aboard the commercial vessel Vettor Pisani, identified in the diplomatic account as Admiral Di Savoia, sought to establish diplomatic relations with the Joseon government while the ship was anchored at Wonsan.
The request did not receive a positive response.
It would take nearly another two decades before formal diplomatic relations were established.
- The curious detail: The countries' official relationship did not begin with the modern Republic of Korea. Its roots lie in Korea's nineteenth-century monarchy and its first encounters with an increasingly interconnected world.
Source: Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Italy, “Storia.”
2. Italy and Korea Formally Established Diplomatic Relations in 1884
On June 26, 1884, the Kingdom of Italy and the Joseon government signed the Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation.
The agreement established formal diplomatic relations between the two countries.
At the time, Korea was not yet the Republic of Korea, commonly known as South Korea. The Korean Empire would be proclaimed in 1897, and the modern Republic of Korea would not be established until 1948.
Italy's relationship with Korea therefore predates the modern South Korean state by more than six decades.
- Fun fact: In 2024, the two countries celebrated the 140th anniversary of their diplomatic relations. Their anniversary was marked by cultural events, exhibitions, and official messages exchanged by the presidents of both countries.
The celebrations also highlighted 2024–2025 as the Italy–Korea Year of Mutual Cultural Exchange.
Sources: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea; Korea.net, “Photo Exhibition Chronicles 140-Year History of Ties with Italy.”
3. An Italian Consul Photographed Korea Before Japanese Colonial Rule
Meet Carlo Rossetti (1876–1948), an Italian naval officer and diplomat whose work left behind a fascinating visual record of Korea at the beginning of the twentieth century.
Rossetti served as Italian consul in Seoul from November 1902 until May 1903. During his time in Korea, he photographed and documented the country, including its streets, markets, people, and institutions.
After returning to Italy, he published works about Korea, including Corea e coreani: impressioni e ricerche sull'Impero del Gran Han, issued in two volumes in 1904–1905. The title can be translated approximately as Korea and Koreans: Impressions and Research on the Great Han Empire.
His books included hundreds of photographs, some taken by Rossetti himself and others obtained from photographic collections.
One particularly memorable photograph shows Rossetti being carried in a traditional Korean palanquin.
Why does this matter?
Rossetti's work provides a glimpse of Korean society during a turbulent period. Japan's influence over Korea was expanding, and in 1905 Japan imposed a protectorate over the Korean Empire. Formal annexation followed in 1910.
His photographs preserve glimpses of a society on the brink of profound political and social change.
- A wonderful research trail: Seoul Museum of History has documented Rossetti's photographic work in its exhibition, “Seoul in Rossetti's Eyes, 1902–1903.”
Sources: Seoul Museum of History; Embassy of Italy in Seoul.
4. Italy Helped Korea During the Korean War Without Sending a Conventional Combat Force
This is one of the most remarkable chapters in the relationship.
When the Korean War began in June 1950, Italy was not yet a member of the United Nations. Nevertheless, it contributed humanitarian assistance by sending a medical unit organized through the Italian Red Cross.
The unit established the 68th Red Cross Hospital in Korea. Its medical personnel treated people affected by the war, including Korean civilians.
According to Korea.net and the Korean Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, the Italian medical mission treated approximately 230,000 patients between its arrival in 1951 and the end of its work in January 1955.
The mission's contribution was medical and humanitarian rather than a conventional combat deployment.
Italy's participation is particularly noteworthy because it provided assistance even though the country was not then a UN member.
- Think about that: While the Korean War was being fought, Italian doctors, nurses, and other medical personnel were helping people survive its consequences.
The Italian medical mission remains an important example of the humanitarian ties between the two countries.
Sources: Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Italy; Korea.net; Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, Republic of Korea.
5. An Italian Priest Became Known in Korea for Feeding the Homeless
Not every historical connection between two countries involves diplomats, treaties, or war. Sometimes, it begins with one person deciding to help others.
Vincenzo Bordo, an Italian Catholic priest, arrived in South Korea in 1990. Known in Korea as Father Kim Ha-jong, he dedicated his life to serving poor and disadvantaged people.
In 1998, he established Anna's House in Seongnam, a social welfare organization that became known for providing meals and assistance to homeless people and other vulnerable members of society.
His work grew beyond a soup kitchen, encompassing support for people experiencing poverty and other difficulties.
In 2023, Vatican News reported that Anna's House was celebrating its twenty-fifth anniversary and had served more than 30 million meals over its history.
Bordo's story is a striking example of how an Italian individual became deeply connected to Korean society.
- The human connection: A person born in Italy made Korea his home and devoted decades to helping people who needed food, shelter, and support.
Sources: Koreana, “A Life of Miracles”; Vatican News, “‘God's Chef’ Cooking Millions of Meals for Poor in South Korea.”
6. An Italian Nun Spent Decades Caring for Koreans Affected by Leprosy
Another extraordinary story concerns Sister Carla Kang, born Lidia Tallone in Italy.
She arrived in Korea in 1968 and devoted much of her life to helping people affected by Hansen's disease, commonly known as leprosy.
Sister Carla lived and worked in a community in Gochang, North Jeolla Province, where she cared for people who often faced both illness and social prejudice.
Her work extended beyond medical assistance. She learned Korean, lived among the people she served, and developed relationships with members of the community.
A 2016 report by South Korea's Yonhap News Agency described her decades of service and her desire to continue living among the people she had come to know.
Her story reveals a quieter side of international history: the bonds created when people cross borders not for wealth or political influence, but to serve others.
- Why it matters: Sister Carla's life demonstrates that the relationship between Italy and Korea has also been shaped by individuals whose contributions were personal, compassionate, and sustained over decades.
Source: Yonhap News Agency, “‘한국서 48년간 한센인 치료’…푸른 눈의 천사 강칼라 수녀.”
7. The Countries Celebrated 140 Years of Diplomatic Relations in 2024
In 2024, South Korea and Italy marked 140 years since signing their 1884 treaty.
The anniversary included a photography exhibition titled All Roads Lead to History: Italy and Korea, organized in Seoul. It explored the development of relations between the two countries through historical photographs and other materials.
The exhibition highlighted several aspects of their relationship, including diplomatic history, the Italian Red Cross hospital during the Korean War, and the contributions of Italian individuals who worked in Korea.
It also showcased cultural connections involving music, sports, fashion, and other fields.
The anniversary was part of a wider effort to strengthen mutual cultural exchange during 2024 and 2025.
Today, South Korea and Italy cooperate across many areas, including trade, science, technology, education, and culture.
- The big picture: The relationship has evolved from early encounters and nineteenth-century diplomacy into a modern partnership. Its history includes political disruption, humanitarian assistance, and the contributions of individuals who helped build connections between two countries separated by geography but linked through shared experiences.
Sources: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea; Korea.net; Embassy of Italy in Seoul.
Conclusion: A Friendship with More Than One Story
The relationship between South Korea and Italy is richer than many people might expect.
It includes a nineteenth-century diplomatic encounter, a consul whose photographs preserve images of Korea's past, a medical mission during the Korean War, and Italian religious figures who devoted their lives to helping Korean communities.
These connections remind us that international relationships are not built by governments alone. They are also shaped by individuals, shared experiences, humanitarian work, and cultural curiosity.
The next time you enjoy an Italian meal while watching a Korean drama, remember that the history connecting these two countries reaches much further back than today's popular culture.
REFERENCES:
Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Italy. “Storia.” Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea, https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/it-it/wpge/m_8799/contents.do. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.
Embassy of Italy in Seoul. “Italia e Corea.” Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Italy, https://ambseoul.esteri.it/it/italia-e-corea/. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.
Korea.net. “140th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations Between Korea and Italy, Commencing Mutual Cultural Exchanges.” Korea.net, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, 27 Feb. 2024, https://www.korea.net/Government/Briefing-Room/Press-Releases/view?articleId=367&insttCode=A260123&type=N.
Korea.net. “Photo Exhibition Chronicles 140-Year History of Ties with Italy.” Korea.net, 26 Feb. 2024, https://www.korea.net/NewsFocus/Culture/view?articleId=247446.
Krapić, Nina Benedikta. “‘God's Chef’ Cooking Millions of Meals for Poor in South Korea.” Vatican News, 2023, https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2023-10/vincenzo-bordo-south-korea-annas-house.html.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea. “Leaders of Korea and Italy Exchange Congratulatory Letters to Mark 140th Anniversary of Establishment of Diplomatic Relations.” Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea, 26 June 2024, https://www.mofa.go.kr/eng/brd/m_5676/view.do?page=1&seq=322613.
Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, Republic of Korea. “Courtesy Meeting with the Italian Ambassador to Korea.” Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, 2026, https://mpva.go.kr/english/selectBbsNttView.do?bbsNo=306&integrDeptCode=&key=993&nttNo=271278&pageIndex=1&searchCnd=all&searchCtgry=&searchKrwd=.
Seoul Museum of History. “Seoul in Rossetti's Eyes, 1902–1903.” Seoul Museum of History, 2012, https://museum.seoul.go.kr/www/board/NR_boardView.do?bbsCd=1002&seq=00000000000000116&sso=ok.
“A Life of Miracles.” Koreana, Winter 2021, https://www.koreana.or.kr/koreana/na/ntt/selectNttInfo.do?bbsId=1122&nttSn=107943.
Yonhap News Agency. “‘한국서 48년간 한센인 치료’…푸른 눈의 천사 강칼라 수녀.” Yonhap News Agency, 15 July 2016, https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20160714151800055.
Editorial note: Content created with the assistance of ChatGPT, including AI-generated historical illustrations (not actual photos or paintings from history).
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