Presidents Lee Jae Myung and Lula da Silva connect over their hardscrabble childhoods ahead of a Seoul summit focused on high-tech trade and deepening bilateral ties

SEOUL: South Korean President Lee Jae Myung praised the resolve of Brazil’s leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva ahead of talks in Seoul on Monday. He said both men rose to the top from hardscrabble beginnings.

Lula is the first Brazilian president to pay a state visit to South Korea in more than 20 years. Their summit is expected to focus on high-tech trade between the two nations.

Both leaders famously clawed their way to the top from unlikely beginnings. Lee worked in a sweatshop to support his family, while Lula dropped out of school to sell peanuts and shine shoes.

“Rising from the life of a young labourer, you have demonstrated through your own journey that democracy is the most powerful instrument for social and economic development,” Lee said in a statement.

“Your path in life and politics, always one step ahead, deeply resonates with my own journey.”

The pair reportedly bonded on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Canada last year. They swapped stories of their difficult childhoods during that meeting.

Lee also offered his “full support for your life, struggle and achievements.” He said these would be remembered as a lasting chapter in the history of global democracy.

Lula was controversially jailed in 2018 on charges of corruption. He was released after the presiding judge was found to be biased.

Brazil is one of South Korea’s largest trading partners in South America. The visit aims to strengthen economic and diplomatic relations.

 The Sun Malaysia