President Lee Jae-myung arrived in Canada on Monday to attend the Group of Seven summit. This marks his first international appearance since taking office two weeks ago. He aims to present South Korea’s new foreign policy of pragmatic diplomacy. Seoul views the trip as a symbolic debut for Lee. It also signals the beginning of his international strategy.
The G7 summit gives Lee an opportunity to meet global leaders face-to-face. He will likely meet US President Donald Trump during the event. Observers say their talks will influence South Korea’s direction on Washington-Beijing relations. Lee must also tackle US-led trade and tariff negotiations. His diplomatic skills will face immediate scrutiny on the world stage.
Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung highlighted the summit’s significance. She stated it reflects the resilience of South Korea’s democracy after recent political turmoil. Lee hopes to show the world the value of pragmatic diplomacy. He plans to explain how citizens overcame the aftermath of martial law and unrest. His team says the trip will enhance South Korea’s global image.
Meanwhile, lawmakers from the Democratic Party praised the G7 invitation. Rep. Han Min-soo said it showed international trust in South Korea’s recovery. He also emphasized the importance of stable institutions and transparent governance. Lee’s mission involves ensuring allies that Seoul remains a reliable partner. Maintaining trilateral cooperation with the US and Japan remains a central goal.
The summit reunites leaders from the US, Japan, and South Korea. Recent political changes have reshaped cooperation in East Asia. Lee replaced former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who promoted close trilateral ties. Now, Lee must preserve those ties while asserting new leadership. He promises to honor commitments and practice pragmatic diplomacy with consistency.
Lee enters the summit with a legacy of skepticism from Washington. Past liberal presidents often raised concerns about alliance commitments. In 2017, President Moon delayed US missile system plans. Seoul also reversed agreements with Tokyo on historical issues. Lee must now rebuild trust through steady and pragmatic diplomacy.
Experts say Lee’s tone at the summit matters deeply. They believe he must reassure Trump of his reliability. Professor Kim Heung-kyu says US officials often doubt liberal leaders in Seoul. However, he thinks Lee can shift that perception with direct talks. Doing so would support long-term cooperation on defense and trade.
Security adviser Wi Sung-lac supports this diplomatic approach. He previously wrote about South Korea’s role in global alliances. Wi believes acknowledging US concerns builds mutual confidence. He says South Korea must act as a proactive ally. Lee’s message in Canada reflects that philosophy of pragmatic diplomacy.
The president may also attend the NATO summit next week. However, his office has not confirmed that plan. Some worry about the impact on China-South Korea relations. Participation in NATO could strain ties with Beijing. Experts suggest careful positioning as an observer instead of a direct participant.
Despite these concerns, other analysts see strategic value. Professor Lee Shin-wha says multilateral participation increases Seoul’s global influence. She argues that being present boosts bargaining power with China. Lee could use these forums to show diplomatic flexibility. This would strengthen his broader strategy of pragmatic diplomacy.
During Tuesday’s G7 expanded session, Lee will give a speech. He plans to discuss supply chain resilience and artificial intelligence. He hopes to highlight South Korea’s role in global innovation. His office hinted he might meet Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy as well. Lee returns to Seoul on Wednesday evening.
