Are Italian-Korean and Vatican-Korean diplomatic relations interconnected? First phase of Italy-Korea diplomatic ties in the 1950s-1960s

In the late 1950s, in a geopolitical context marked by the Korean War (1950-1953) and post-war reconstruction, the Republic of Korea established diplomatic relations with both the Vatican and Italy. Those countries were among the main promoters of humanitarian aid for the war-thorn population, provided through religious orders, charitable organizations, and Catholic missions. During this period, the Catholic population in South Korea was growing, and Italy, as a leading nation in global Catholicism, had a great impact on diplomatic relations between South Korea and the Holy See. The presence of Italian entities linked to the Church further strengthened the relationship between the three powers, making Rome – as the seat both of the Italian government and the Holy See – an important place for South Korea’s diplomacy. This thesis examines the first phase of Italian-Korean diplomatic relations, particularly focusing on the role that Italy played in facilitating the consolidation of Vatican-Korean bilateral ties. Were diplomatic relations between South Korea and the Holy See, as well as those between South Korea and Italy, intertwined? If so, how? This study reconstructs the historical and political context in which the first contacts between the two countries took shape, adopting a qualitative approach based on the analysis of academic papers and declassified documents from the Historical Diplomatic Archives of Rome. The author argues that the opening of the Italian Embassy in Seoul (1959), followed by the establishment of the Vatican Embassy (1963), resulted from Italy’s prominent role as a diplomatic bridge. This research concludes that ties between South Korea, the Vatican, and Italy were driven by interconnected for political, religious and humanitarian reasons and shared goals including the fight against communism, support for the reconstruction of South Korea, and a new prominent role of the Catholic Church. Moreover, this initial phase laid the foundation for future relations, where the Holy See could exert religious and moral influence, while Italy gradually developed stronger economic and diplomatic ties with Seoul. This research highlights how Italy, with its strategic position, eased the dialogue between the South Korean government and Vatican City, contributing to the international legitimation of the newly-formed country during a period of strong geopolitical instability. In particular, the analysis of archive documents reveals the significant role of Italian diplomatic missions in promoting communication channels between the Catholic Church and Seoul. In conclusion, the results of this research offer a new perspective on the importance of Rome in shaping South Korea’s international relations in the post-World War II era, emphasizing the value of indirect diplomacy in foreign policy.