About the Ambassador

Annyeong haseyo!

My name is Ugo Astuto, the European Union’s Ambassador to the Republic of Korea (RoK). Originally from Italy, I entered the Italian Diplomatic Service in 1991. Since then, I have served in Italian Embassies in Nairobi and London, in the Permanent Representation in Brussels and in the Embassy in Delhi. From February 2013 until July 2016 I was seconded to the European External Action Service (EEAS) in Brussels, first as Director for South and South East Asia and then as Deputy Managing Director/Director for Asia and the Pacific. Then until 2019, I was the Principal Director for Asia in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Rome. From 2019 to 2023, I served as the Ambassador and Head of the EU Delegation to India and Bhutan. Up until coming to Korea, I served as Alternate Political Director for G7/G20 matters in Rome.

I am excited to join the EU Delegation to the Republic of Korea after working on Asia and the Pacific for a long time. The Republic of Korea and the EU have a strong strategic partnership grounded in the shared values of democracy, human rights, the rule of law, effective multilateralism, open, free and fair trade, and the rules-based international order. 

 I look forward working with our team in Korea to expand cooperation in a future-oriented and mutually beneficial way, by implementing the Security and Defence Partnership, Green Partnership, Digital and Health Partnership, as well as Scientific cooperation in the framework of Horizon Europe. 

In this spirit, the EU will continue to engage actively with the RoK for a more secure, peaceful and prosperous world. 

We invite you to stay connected with us through our website and social media (@EUinKorea) for exciting updates and events! We look forward to continuing our journey together.