Lula Welcomes Korea’s Lee at Presidential Residence in Elevated Protocol

President Lee Jae-myung, on a state visit to Brazil, makes a finger heart with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva after a joint press statement at the presidential palace on the morning of Nov. 27 (local time). Brasília — Kwon WookPresident Lee Jae-myung and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva shake hands after a joint press statement at the presidential residence in Brasília on Nov. 27 (local time). Brasília — Kwon WookPresident Lee Jae-myung and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva make finger hearts toward reporters after a joint press statement at the presidential residence in Brasília on Nov. 27 (local time). Brasília — Kwon Wook

President Lee Jae-myung, on a state visit to Brazil, began his summit diplomacy schedule in earnest on the 27th local time, starting with an official welcoming ceremony with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Brazil’s considerable hospitality stood out in terms of protocol. President Lula invited President Lee to his official residence, the Alvorada Palace, rather than the Planalto Palace, his usual official workplace. Lula has welcomed foreign leaders at his residence on only a few occasions, including Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2024 and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2025. This is seen as reflecting the deep friendship between the two leaders and the elevated protocol accorded.

President Lee Jae-myung and first lady Kim Hye-kyung, on a state visit to Brazil, review the honor guard alongside President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and first lady Rosângela Lula da Silva at an official welcoming ceremony held at the presidential palace on the morning of Nov. 27 (local time). Brasília — Kwon WookPresident Lee Jae-myung and first lady Kim Hye-kyung, on a state visit to Brazil, review the honor guard alongside President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and first lady Rosângela Lula da Silva at an official welcoming ceremony held at the presidential palace on the morning of Nov. 27 (local time). Brasília — Kwon WookPresident Lee Jae-myung and first lady Kim Hye-kyung, on a state visit to Brazil, walk side by side toward the presidential residence with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and first lady Rosângela Lula da Silva after an official welcoming ceremony at the presidential palace on the morning of Nov. 27 (local time). Brasília — Kwon WookPresident Lee Jae-myung and first lady Kim Hye-kyung, on a state visit to Brazil, embrace President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and first lady Rosângela Lula da Silva, respectively, at an official welcoming ceremony held at the presidential palace on the morning of Nov. 27 (local time). Brasília — Kwon Wook

President Lee attended an official welcoming ceremony at the Alvorada Palace that day, including a review of the honor guard. The small-group talks that followed were held in Lula’s personal study. All major events, including the state luncheon, took place inside the residence. The arrangement is interpreted as carrying the symbolic meaning of “inviting a special guest into one’s home.”

“We understand that Brazil was deeply impressed by the meticulous protocol our government showed during President Lula’s visit to Korea in February,” an official said. “This visit was carefully prepared as a gesture of reciprocity.”

President Lee Jae-myung, on a state visit to Brazil, holds a small-group meeting with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva at the presidential palace on the morning of Nov. 27 (local time). Brasília — Kwon WookPresident Lee Jae-myung, on a state visit to Brazil, signs the guest book after an official welcoming ceremony held at the presidential palace on the morning of Nov. 27 (local time). Brasília — Kwon WookThe guest book signed by President Lee Jae-myung, on a state visit to Brazil, after an official welcoming ceremony held at the presidential palace on the morning of Nov. 27 (local time). Brasília — Kwon WookPresident Lee Jae-myung and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva make a toast at a state luncheon held at the presidential residence in Brasília on Nov. 27 (local time). Brasília — Kwon Wook

The close relationship between the two leaders stems from parallel life trajectories. Both former “child laborers,” they share the common ground of having overcome impoverished childhoods and political adversity to reach the highest positions of state leadership. President Lee also met with Lula at the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Canada last June, where they shared this same sense of bond.

With this visit, the mutual state visits between the two nations’ leaders came to fruition five months after Lula’s visit to Korea in February. This is the fifth meeting between President Lee and President Lula since Lee’s inauguration.

President Lee Jae-myung and first lady Kim Hye-kyung, on a state visit to Brazil, pose for a photo with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and first lady Rosângela Lula da Silva at a send-off ceremony held at the presidential palace on Nov. 27 (local time). Brasília — Kwon Wook[CAPTIONS]
President Lee Jae-myung and first lady Kim Hye-kyung, on a state visit to Brazil, pose for a photo with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and first lady Rosângela Lula da Silva at a cultural event and reception hosted by the Brazilian presidential couple at the presidential palace on Nov. 27 (local time). Brasília — Kwon Wook