South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva held a joint press conference at the Brazilian presidential residence on May 27 (local time), where they emphasized their shared experiences as former factory workers who suffered workplace injuries in their youth. Lee lost mobility in his left arm after a press machine accident as a teenage factory worker in Seongnam, while Lula lost his left pinky finger in an industrial accident while working as a lathe operator in a metal factory. The personal narratives dominated the press conference, which was officially convened to discuss supply chain cooperation, critical minerals, the Mercosur Free Trade Agreement, and defense collaboration between the two nations.
Lee and Lula Share Factory Worker Origins and Workplace Injuries
Lee stated at the joint press conference that "President Lula and I share a special experience," adding "Just as President Lula lost a finger on his left hand, I also suffered an injury to my left arm while working in a factory as a child, resulting in a disability." Lee continued, "This experience always makes me think about the obligation that more people should live better lives."
Lula was born into an extremely poor family in northeastern Brazil. As a child, he moved with his family by truck to São Paulo, where he worked various jobs including shoe shining, peanut vending, and dyeing factory work to support his family. He later suffered an industrial accident while working as a lathe operator in a metal factory, losing his left pinky finger.
Lee's life followed a similar trajectory. After graduating elementary school, he went to work in a factory where he suffered a press machine accident that left him with a permanent disability in his left arm. He later passed equivalency exams and the bar exam to become a human rights lawyer, served as Seongnam mayor and Gyeonggi governor, before becoming president.
Lee to Visit São Paulo Metalworkers Union Office Where Lula Worked
Lee announced at the joint press conference that "Tomorrow in São Paulo, I will visit the metalworkers' union office where President Lula was active in his youth to see the site where his dream began." Lee described the visit as an opportunity to "think once more about the President's dream in that place where President Lula never forgot the reality of workers and constantly worked so that all people could live better lives."
Lee added, "I hope that both President Lula and I will not lose our identity as workers and work together for a better life for more people."
Lula responded by stating, "People who suffered hardships in their youth cherish every single opportunity," and "President Lee and I both grew up in very difficult environments." He emphasized, "We know the difficulties of each citizen, each student, each worker," adding "We know well that education, labor, and democracy can change the fate of a person and the fate of a nation."
Both Leaders Reference Surviving Extremist Political Attacks
Lula stated at the press conference, "President Lee and I have overcome attacks from extremist forces," emphasizing the importance of dialogue and democracy. In Brazil in 2023, supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro rioted and occupied the presidential palace, congress, and supreme court. South Korea similarly experienced trials of democracy around the same time, going through martial law and impeachment proceedings.
The official agenda items for the summit included supply chain cooperation, critical minerals, defense, space, and energy collaboration. This marked the fifth meeting between the two leaders, following their encounter at the G7 summit the previous month.
FAQ
What did Lee Jae-myung and Lula discuss at their May 27 press conference?
Lee Jae-myung and Lula held a joint press conference at the Brazilian presidential residence on May 27 (local time), where they focused extensively on their shared experiences as former factory workers who suffered workplace injuries in their youth. Lee injured his left arm in a press machine accident as a teenage factory worker, while Lula lost his left pinky finger in an industrial accident while working as a lathe operator. The official agenda included supply chain cooperation, critical minerals, the Mercosur Free Trade Agreement, and defense collaboration.
Why is Lee Jae-myung visiting a metalworkers' union office in São Paulo?
Lee announced at the joint press conference that he will visit the metalworkers' union office in São Paulo where Lula was active in his youth. Lee stated he wants to "see the site where his dream began" and "think once more about the President's dream in that place where President Lula never forgot the reality of workers and constantly worked so that all people could live better lives."
How many times have Lee Jae-myung and Lula met?
The May 27 meeting marked the fifth encounter between Lee Jae-myung and Lula. The two leaders previously met at the G7 summit the previous month, approximately one month before this Brazil visit.
